ACMCAN306A
Monitor animal reproduction

This unit of competency covers the process of facilitating and monitoring reproduction needs in accordance with the institution's breeding plan. Animals in the reproduction program may be either naturally or artificially reared.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

The unit is applicable to wildlife animal keepers or carers who are expected to perform tasks under supervision.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Facilitate reproduction

1.1. Reproduction is facilitated in accordance with the institution's breeding plan.

1.2. Sexual behaviour, communication and signs in the male and female reproductive cycle are recognised and reported for the major animal groups.

1.3. Risks associated with potential aggressive animal behaviour are identified and monitored in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) and animal welfare requirements.

1.4. Conditions and environmental cues conducive to breeding are provided in accordance with species-specific requirements.

2. Monitor breeding animals during the period of reproduction

2.1. A suitable environment for breeding animals is provided in accordance with species-specific requirements and OHS requirements.

2.2. Requirements of breeding animals are provided and monitored in accordance with institutional policies and procedures.

2.3. Relevant data is recorded so that successes can be replicated.

2.4. Changes to husbandry regimes are communicated to the team in accordance with institutional policies and procedures.

3. Prepare and assist with birth or hatching

3.1. Suitable media are provided to assist with the birth or hatching.

3.2. Appropriate monitoring is provided to ensure the safe birth or hatching of young animals.

3.3. Post-birth or post-hatching behavioural considerations are assessed and managed.

3.4. Breeding outcomes are assessed and updates are recommended for inclusion in the institution's breeding plan.

Required Skills

Required skills

complete animal husbandry tasks, including nutritional, health and behavioural requirements

complete relevant documentation and reports

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible systems and procedures when handling and working with animals

follow quarantine and disease control procedures

implement institutional policies and procedures

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

monitor animal health and behaviour for indicators of injury, compromised health or distress

prepare and maintain breeding, birthing and hatching environments and other requirements

recognise courtship, copulation, combat and signs of behavioural and physical changes associated with reproduction

literacy skills to read and implement institutional policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; follow breeding plan recommendations; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

communication skills/language 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 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 for the animal groups associated with reproduction

animal husbandry requirements related to breeding animals

behavioural changes in animals when pregnant, with young or when displaying territorial behaviour

emergency procedures

environmental processes that may influence breeding, birth and hatching

factors that may interfere with breeding

housing requirements for mother and young, where relevant

institution collection and breeding plans

natural breeding behaviours and biology

normal and abnormal animal behaviour

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

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

reproductive terminology

seasonality and non-seasonality of reproduction.

Evidence Required

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:

provide environments conducive to reproduction in accordance with institution's breeding plan

monitor reproductive processes in captive animals from the time prior to fertilisation through to birth or hatching of the young

monitor and manage birth or hatching processes

record and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to monitor animal reproduction 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.

There must be access in this situation to breeding pairs and/or groups of animals for a range of species 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).


Range Statement

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.

Breeding plan may include:

information about:

species management:

number of breeders required

selection criteria for breeders and retiring breeders

stock replacement

mating system to be used

enhanced reproductive methods

reproductive control methods

identification and records systems to be used

data to be collected about production rates (e.g. numbers born and sex ratios)

weaning methods.

Types of sexual behaviour that may be observed includes:

aggression between males

courtship rituals

copulation

nesting

preening.

Communication and signs in the male and female reproductive cycle may include:

communication:

olfactory signals

specific breeding calls

signs:

changes in dietary habits

fattening up

metamorphosis in amphibians

oestrus

parturition

puberty.

Major animal groups are:

amphibians

birds

fish

invertebrates

mammals

reptiles.

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

gas leakage

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.

Conditions suitable for breeding may include:

dietary requirements

photoperiod

privacy

reduced noise or light

screening

simulated natural habitat

temperature and humidity.

Environmental cues that may be required include:

changes in photoperiod

humidity

temperature and/or precipitation.

Suitable environment may include:

consideration of appropriate housing for the mother

providing suitable media for fertilisation

screening or privacy from the public

separation of the animal from other animals

simulated natural habitats.

Requirements may include:

behaviour requirements (e.g. physical, social and food-related enrichment)

health requirements (e.g. specific medication and regular health checks)

nutritional requirements (e.g. food supplements during egg development, pregnancy and lactation).

Data may include:

environmental conditions

the introduction or separation of individuals.

Suitable media

materials or substrates for nest building, egg laying and/or incubation.

Monitoring may include:

implementation of a 24-hour watch and checking egg viability.

Behaviour considerations may include:

post-birth and egg laying behavioural considerations:

the need to remove one or both parents

maintenance of a private and/or quiet environment

maintenance of the animal within a social group.

suitable media


Sectors

Unit sector

Captive animals


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.