What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?

Competence in apply animal trapping techniques requires evidence that animals have been humanely trapped and released or destroyed according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice. The skills and knowledge required to apply trapping techniques must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different trapping techniques, animal species or locations.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

Relevant legislation.

Common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence.

Animal life cycles and behaviours.

Catching techniques, equipment and operation.

Suitable traps for the given animal species.

Animal welfare.

Animal identification.

Basic animal handling and care.

Legislation applying to the capture and care of wildlife.

Transportation methods of caught animals.

Occupational health and safety and public welfare legislation, regulations, Codes of Practice and enterprise procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Plan animal capture.

Prepare for trapping.

Place and set traps.

Check and remove traps.

Report completion of work.

Clean and store equipment and materials.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.

1. How can communication of ideas and information (1) be applied?

Clarify requirements and expectations for the job, liaise with work colleagues during work activities, and document work activities in writing.

2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (2)?

Determine appropriate bait and trap type.

3. How are activities planned and organised (2)?

Organise own work activities.

4. How can team work (1) be applied?

Collaborate with work colleagues during work activities.

5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (2) be applied?

Determining number of traps required and their distribution, recording counts of animals caught.

6. How can problem-solving skills (2) be applied?

Consider problems that arise during the job and determine contingency activities.

7. How can the use of technology (2) be applied?

Use and maintain traps and firearms.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

For information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Range of Variables

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this competency standard. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts

Which purposesfor capture may be included?

Scientific research, removal of animals from unsuitable locations or to another habitat, protection of humans from attack, disturbance or disease, collection of animals to establish breeding populations and vertebrate pest control, fauna survey.

Which locations may be relevant to this standard?

Urban, including roadways, railways, open space, inside buildings, rural, including roadways, farmland, inside buildings, parks/reserves including steep and rugged lands and in dense growth, and off park areas.

Which licenses may be included?

Firearms, wildlife capture, keeping of wildlife, occupational health and safety certification, scientific and Animal Care and Ethics Committee or equivalent, small boat handling.

What types of equipment may be relevant?

Vehicles, vessels, elevating work platforms, cages, sacks and traps, bait, firearms and ammunition, ladders, identification tags, ropes and related equipment, personal protective equipment, first aid kit, scientific research equipment and instruments, cameras, 2 way radios and mobile telephones, equipment for safe transport and care of species, appropriate food for species, maps and identification keys.

What sorts of incidents may be considered?

Animals attacking people, animals on roadways and railways, bites, cuts, scratches, falls, injured animals, damage to vehicles, escapes from traps and cages, and animals loose in or under vehicles.

What are the relevant Federal, State legislation and local regulations that may be included?

Environmental protection, vertebrate pests, use of firearms (including licensing requirements and exemptions), humane treatment of animals, activities in nature reserves and heritage areas, poisons and veterinary substances, identification and reporting of suspected outbreaks of exotic disease, OHS regulations, and common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence.

Which animals may be included in this standard?

Native animals, domestic species and species determined to be pests of primary production, the environment or public health and lifestyle. This standard covers small, medium and large animals.

What might be included as resources?

Human, financial, land, air, water transport facilities, physical (traps, firearms, ammunition, veterinary products), plant (excavators, front-end loaders) and fencing materials.

How should killed animal carcasses be dealt with?

Animal carcases with commercial or scientific value should be stored in accordance with the enterprise guidelines. Other animal carcases should be disposed of as required in accordance with statutory requirements and industry practice.

Which types of traps may be included?

A range of trap construction designs, spring loaded rubber-jawed traps, barrel netting or mesh traps, lures, cage traps, cannon netting and mist nets, pitfall traps.

For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment refer to the Sector Booklet.