Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to handle alpacas
- Identify, prepare and maintain alpaca handling areas, gates and access routes
- Locate and identify alpacas for handling according to supervisor instructions
- Observe and anticipate behavioural characteristics of alpacas and select appropriate handling methods
- Select, check for soundness and prepare handling equipment
- Identify hazards and report to supervisor
- Recognise hazards to animals and report to supervisor
- Observe site quarantine and other biosecurity protocols
- Select and use suitable personal protective equipment
- Handle alpacas
- Follow procedures to control and sort alpacas safely and in line with enterprise animal welfare policies
- Classify alpacas according to age, sex and husbandry tasks to be performed
- Carry out restraint procedures with minimum stress and discomfort to alpacas
- Transport alpacas when required according to animal welfare requirements
- Monitor and anticipate alpaca behaviour during moving and handling processes to ensure wellbeing of alpacas and safety of handlers
- Conduct alpaca count record
- Recognise environmental impacts of alpaca handling and husbandry tasks and report to supervisor
- Carry out alpaca husbandry tasks
- Complete alpaca handling activities
- Complete alpaca husbandry tasks as instructed, and prepare gates and access routes for alpacas' departure
- Clean and maintain handling areas and equipment and store surplus materials
- Report equipment faults or malfunctions
- Dispose of alpaca residues and waste appropriately
- Record and report relevant information about particular animals and the husbandry tasks performed