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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. |
Commonly available native mammals may include: | marsupialsmontremes. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to:the breeding seasonthe species, breed, age and sex of the animalsthe time of day or nightbehaviour characteristics associated with different species:activity levels at certain times of day or nightfeeding and foragingfight or flightsocial interactionfeeding behavioursdefensive behaviour:biting, kicking, charging or spittingdefending territory, other animals or foodgrowling, barking, hissing or screaminghair on topline being raiseddominance gestures:attempts to hump handler's leg or other animalattempts to get higher than handler or other animalshunting or stalking gesturesstereotypical behaviour:repetitive patternsself-mutilationrestlessnesssubmissive gestures:lowering bodyrolling onto backtail between legsturning away from handler or other animals. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | age, sex and sizecoat or skin colours and textureeye colourmarkings, patterns and permanent scarsmicrochip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands. |
Signs of distressed native mammals may include: | aggressive behaviourinappetencesubdued behaviourtremblingvocalisation. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental:biological control of wastecleaning routines and methodsdrainage and weather protectiongeneral animal housing securityhousing furniturelocal council requirements related to:limits to numbers and types of animals allowednoise controlpest controlrestricting access to animalswaste managementventilation, heating and cooling requirementshousing design:housing options:cagedfully enclosedindoormoatednaturalisticoutdoorhousing requirements:compatibility of species housed togetherfood and water distributionlocation considerationslongevity and sturdiness of materialsrequired floor area for specific speciessecurity considerationssuitability for specific speciesspecies-specific options for animals to hide or restdesigns that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific exercise, feeding or socialisingsocial options:solitarypairssingle sexed groupspolyandrous/polygamous groupsmixed species. |
Enrichment needs may include: | food or food-related enrichment:giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substratesgiving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)physical enrichment items:gnawing manipuladahide boxes, tunnels and laddersnest building or bedding material:shredded paperstrawsubstrate or wood shavingsnon-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys perches, roosting shelves and nest boxessocial enrichment:human imprinting and cohabitation with domestic pets should be avoided as this may prevent successful rehabilitation to the wildlevels of contact with other animals of the same species or breedsocial interactions between the animal and carer may also be appropriate if it is not planned to release the animal to its natural environment. |
Welfare of animals requirements may include: | adequate housing, nutrition and stock levelscompliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulationsenrichment opportunitiesthe absence of pests and verminthe compatibility of species and breeds. |
OHS risks when working with animals may include: | animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuriesbiological hazardous waste and sharps disposalhandling of chemicals and medicinesgas leakageinhalation of aerosol particlesintraocular contaminationmanual handling, including carrying, lifting and shiftingneedle pricks and cuts from other sharpsrelease of infective agents (animal and human)slippery or uneven work surfaceszoonoses. |
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain native mammals may include: | cages, yards, pens, bags and towelscollars, leads, halters and harnessestreats and toys. |
Methods used to approach and catch native mammals may include: | calling animalencouraging animal to approach by offering a treatquietly approaching animal, slipping on collar and attaching lead or catching and holding animal gently with handsrunning animal into a small enclosure. |
Common health issues may include: | behavioural disordersenvironmental hazards:ventilationtemperature extremesexposure to the elementsadequate exerciseinfectious diseases caused by:bacteria, virus, fungus and mouldinternal and external parasitesnon-infection diseases:nutritional imbalances and disruptionsgenetic disordersmetabolicneoplasticphysical traumaschemical toxicities and allergieszoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-upcontrol of parasitesgroomingimmunisation/vaccinations, as requiredinsect controlquarantineroutine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features:mouth and teeth structuresdigestive chemicals and bacteriaalimentary canal and stomachintestines, rectum and anusphysiological features:eating processesnutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods waste eliminationfeeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the speciespotential digestive system malfunctions or problemswater needs. |
Food source considerations include: | captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to:minimise the impact of captivitystimulate normal digestive functionmaximise development of natural survival techniquesprior to their release, it is recommended that rehabilitated animals should be eating at least 85 per cent natural diet made up of food that would be available to them in the area where they are to be released. |
Feeding hazards may include: | animal movement and handlingshelf life of foodstuffsmanual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipmentcontamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sourcesorganic and other dustsexcessive noisepossibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of mammals may include: | accident and incident recordschemical and veterinary supplies registerdetailed and accurate records for each animal:species and sex of animalidentification and historyfeeding, health and treatment recordsdiary, rosters and task completion and timeframe recordsequipment use, damage and repair registerOHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other recordsprovisions records of current stock and items used and items requiredstock control records. |