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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify and assist with animal care needs
  2. Monitor health and nutrition requirements for young animals

Evidence Required

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole

The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below

Assessment must confirm ones ability to

identify the needs of a range of young animals and provide appropriate environments and care programs

assist in artificially rearing animals

monitor the health and nutrition of young animals to ensure their overall growth and wellbeing

prepare animals for release into a captive or native environment

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include

institutional policies and procedures including OHS

strategies for maintaining hygiene standards

relevant legislation

working knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the six major animal groups

normal and abnormal animal behaviour

housing requirements for mothers and young where relevant

concepts of imprinting and socialisation

feeding and husbandry requirements for artificially raised animals

the range of risks to animals being artificially fed

formula types for common species

weaning management

prerelease activities

release strategies

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria some complementary skills are required These skills include

ability to implement institutional policies and procedures

ability to provide suitable environments for young animals

ability to handle safely and feed correctly young animals

ability to wean animals and implement prerelease activities

literacy skills to read and implement institutional 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 defined tasks

oral communication skills language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution including questioning techniques active listening asking for clarification from supervisors and consulting with supervisors

numeracy skills to complete arithmetic calculations and measure formulae

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

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency

For valid assessment one must have opportunities to participate in a range of exercises case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to participate in caring for young animals One must also have access to the resources listed below that include

an appropriate captive animal workplace

equipment and or resources normally used in the workplace

a range of young animals

institutional policies and procedures

controlled environments for raising young animals

dietary requirements including feeding equipment for young animals

equipment for prerelease strategies

recording system for maintaining animal records

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and where possible over a number of assessment activities

The skills and knowledge required to care for young animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events For example this could include work within small or large facilities in city regional or rural areas traditional or openrange zoos and mobile or theme park environments

What considerations should there be for context of assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace

There must be access in this situation to the appropriate equipment and or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency

What processes should be applied to this unit of competency

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 unit of competency Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where not required perform the process perform and administer the process and perform administer and design the process

How can communication of ideas and information be applied

Through discussion with supervisors and team members about animal nurturing requirements

How can information be collected analysed and organised

By observing the development of young animals and recording information in accordance with institutional requirements

How are activities planned and organised

By developing and implementing feeding plans for young animals

How can teamwork be applied

By working with others on agreed tasks

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied

By calculating feeding requirements and preparing formulae for young animals

How can problemsolving skills be applied

By observing animal behaviour and providing a suitable environment to raise young animals

How can the use of technology be applied

By using computer technology to record data collected

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function for example

RUVA Prepare animal diets and monitor feeding

RUV3408A Prepare animal diets and monitor feeding


Range Statement

Range of Variables

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts

What is a suitable environment?

Suitable environments may include consideration of appropriate housing for the mother, separation of the young from other animals or mate, simulated natural habitats, screening or privacy from the public, reduced noise or light and the appropriate level of barrier nursing.

What type of OHS issues would be relevant in this context?

Animal care for captive animals has a range of associated risks from bites, envenomation, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.

The handling of chemicals and drugs requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.

Safe work practices are used in packaging and handling loads, including animals. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.

Some captive animal facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical or drug spillage. Procedures to reduce the spread of disease may include incident reporting, cleaning, the removal of waste and spillage, the containment or elimination of risk, the use of personal protective equipment and clothing and seeking advice from supervisors.

What may be included in a care program?

A care program may include nutritional requirements, appropriate environment, teaching animals to catch their own food, providing socialisation opportunities with other animals and providing animals with materials to create their own living environment.

What may be included in a controlled environment?

A controlled environment may include incubators, humidicribs, heat pads, brooders, hospital cages, invertebrate breeding cages and food dictated by breeding and growth patterns.

What are the risks to animals during artificial rearing?

Risks to animals may include imprinting, lack of socialisation, acquisition of aberrant behaviours, aspiration, pneumonia and infection.

What may be included in growth and general condition monitoring?

Monitoring growth and general condition may include monitoring weight, body measurements, temperature and the appearance of the body or coat.

What is involved in weaning?

Weaning may include changing the diet, weaning from human contact and introducing alternative feeding strategies.