The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

prepare native animals for release

transport and release animals

monitor success of release program, where possible

maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to release native animals to natural environment must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access in either situation to a range of rehabilitated native wildlife potentially ready for release as well as the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

complete animal husbandry tasks as required

develop and follow animal release strategy in consultation with experienced personnel and organisations

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling, transporting and releasing native animals

follow quarantine and disease control procedures

implement facility policies and procedures

literacy skills to read and implement facility policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; follow treatment instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the facility, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from coordinators and/or other experienced personnel and consulting with coordinators and/or other experienced personnel

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical structures and physiological features of native animals

animal monitoring devices and tactics

basic animal husbandry requirements and rehabilitation procedures for common native species

database to establish status of species in the wild

natural dietary requirements for specific species

normal behaviour of native wildlife

principles and objectives of animal rehabilitation and release programs, animal welfare and ethics

relevant facility policies and procedures, including OHS, animal welfare, hygiene standards and other industry guidelines

relevant legislation, including state or territory wildlife Acts and codes of practice

wildlife ecology, including population dynamics, habitat selection, competition, and predator-prey interactions.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Options for release considerations may include:

animals readiness for release:

age, sex and health status of animal

ability to establish a home range

need for social interaction

availability of suitable release site

other habitat considerations (e.g. current stock density, availability of natural food and water)

practicality of releasing animals into the area where they were originally found.

Native animals may include:

rescued and rehabilitated native wildlife:

amphibians

birds

marsupials

montremes

reptiles.

Release site selection and monitoring considerations may include:

selected site should be close to where the animal was found or captured, as relocation to new areas is not advised due to the potential of:

creating competition with local wildlife

disease spread

displacing other animals from their home range

genetic integrity compromise.

site may be monitored for:

adequate shelter

availability of natural food and water supply

habitat destruction

human interaction or intervention

pests

predators

suitable numbers of same species of animals.

Readiness for release considerations may include:

indications of animals' readiness for release:

being dehumanised

displaying appropriate species behaviour

displaying normal physical features (e.g. returning to waterproof state)

feeding independently and eating at least 85 per cent natural diet that will be available in the proposed release site

moving freely

recognising own species

socially adapted to survive in their natural state

recognising natural food sources

used to exposure to natural elements

readiness will also depend on:

availability of a suitable release site

other habitat considerations

practicality of releasing animals into the area where they were originally found

timing of release (e.g. species migratory patterns)

weather conditions.

Documentation in relation to rescued wildlife that must be maintained may include:

individual animal identification, where possible

health history, if applicable

reports to relevant government departments of species of threatened wildlife or unusual animals held

approval of shelter operators for any release of rehabilitated wildlife, if applicable

yearly returns to relevant state or territory bodies detailing the survival of all wildlife held.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Release strategies may include:

ensuring animal readiness for release:

physical wellbeing of the animal

necessary survival skills are present

steps for release:

veterinary examination to ensure animals are clinically free of diseases and parasite

notify relevant government department of proposed release, as required

organise tagging, banding or other marking, as required, for monitoring purposes

soft or hard release

release as near as possible to original habitat

release in the appropriate social group, where applicable to species

select appropriate weather, season and time of day.