ACMSPE303A
Provide basic care of common native mammals

This unit of competency covers the process of identifying common native mammals, their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behaviour requirements and basic preventative health measures.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in relation to the protection of native mammals. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application

The unit is applicable to those working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to rear commonly kept native mammals. This may include animal shelters or rehabilitation organisations, zoos or similar workplaces. In some cases, animals may have been rescued from the wild and successful rehabilitation is required to restore animal health and wellbeing before releasing back to their natural environment.

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. Identify commonly available native mammals

1.1. Profile of native mammals commonly held in facility, including habitat, nutrition, health and behavioural characteristics, is defined.

1.2. External features are described using industry terminology.

1.3. Native mammals are classified using industry-specific terminology.

1.4. Colours, markings and other identifying features are defined, interpreted and documented.

2. Identify and evaluate behavioural and housing needs

2.1. Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour are identified and signs of distressed native mammals are recognised and reported to supervisor.

2.2. Industry standards and guidelines for housing design, environmental factors and appropriate stocking densities are identified.

2.3. Enrichment needs are identified and evaluated for specific animal species.

2.4. Current animal housing design is evaluated in relation to the welfare of animals kept and legislation requirements.

3. Catch, handle and restrain native mammals

3.1. Occupational health and safety (OHS) risks associated with handling and restraining native mammals are identified and methods used to minimise risks are demonstrated.

3.2. Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain native mammals is prepared and evaluated.

3.3. Native mammals are approached and caught while minimising risks to animal and others.

3.4. Native mammals are restrained using a range of approved animal welfare management procedures.

4. Assist with health care needs

4.1. Signs of good health in native mammals are identified and recorded in animal health and treatment records.

4.2. Common health issues are identified and signs of disease or other conditions are reported to supervisor.

4.3. General health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures are identified and implemented in accordance with level of job responsibility, regulatory requirements and supervisor guidance.

4.4. Options for activity and enrichment are identified, evaluated for impact on native mammal health and implemented as directed by supervisor.

5. Feed native mammals

5.1. Digestive system features are identified and related to native mammal-specific feeding routines and diets.

5.2. Preferred food sources are identified and samples are assessed for quality and suitability.

5.3. Potential feeding hazards are identified and risk control options defined.

5.4. Feed is prepared in accordance with dietary needs.

5.5. Feed is distributed and consumption, including abnormalities, is reported in accordance with workplace routines.

6. Maintain records

6.1. Documentation on the care and management of native mammals is completed in accordance with workplace procedures and legislation requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

complete relevant work-related documents and maintain accurate animal records

comply with OHS, animal care, ethics and industry codes of conduct, regulations and legislations

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with, restraining and handling native mammals

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

measure, interpret and record native mammal weight, length and other relevant objective indicators of change in physiological status

monitor mammal health, condition and behaviour and recognise normal and abnormal signs

prepare doses for treatments as directed and verified by supervisor

provide basic first aid to native mammals as required under supervision

use equipment and materials correctly and in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and animal welfare, follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to assess appropriate practices and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological terminology and glossary of terms

anatomical structures and physiological features related to basic care requirements for native mammals

awareness of natural native mammal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status, behavioural and social needs and the signs of distress, illness and undesirable behaviours

basic mammal care and hygiene principles

basic mammal first aid techniques

housing, social and activity needs of native mammals and environmental impacts on health and wellbeing

methods of transmission of disease and infection

organisational policies and procedures regarding the care and health maintenance of mammals

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

physical conditions and vital signs of native mammals

potential hazards and risks to animals and staff during feeding and cleaning of housing

relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including OHS, animal welfare and ethics

safe native mammal handling techniques and procedures, potential hazards and control measures

terminology and language variations used by workplace staff and the public to describe mammals, their behaviour, status, health and treatments

terminology used to describe and document health and behavioural signs, including desirable and undesirable features

types of food and food supplements and their role in native mammal diets, including natural dietary requirements for specific species and appropriate plant recognition,

types of information that has to be reported and recorded in animal care workplaces

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

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:

identify the specific characteristics and needs of native mammals and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management

classify and identify native mammals by age, sex, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology

safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain native mammals

report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual animals in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards, workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of common native mammals 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 most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters or rehabilitation organisations, zoos and wildlife parks or similar workplaces.

There must be access to a range of native mammals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available native mammal species.

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.

Commonly available native mammals may include:

marsupials

montremes.

Behavioural characteristics may include:

behaviour characteristics can vary according to:

the breeding season

the species, breed, age and sex of the animals

the time of day or night

behaviour characteristics associated with different species:

activity levels at certain times of day or night

feeding and foraging

fight or flight

social interaction

feeding behaviours

defensive behaviour:

biting, kicking, charging or spitting

defending territory, other animals or food

growling, barking, hissing or screaming

hair on topline being raised

dominance gestures:

attempts to hump handler's leg or other animal

attempts to get higher than handler or other animals

hunting or stalking gestures

stereotypical behaviour:

repetitive patterns

self-mutilation

restlessness

submissive gestures:

lowering body

rolling onto back

tail between legs

turning away from handler or other animals.

Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:

age, sex and size

coat or skin colours and texture

eye colour

markings, patterns and permanent scars

microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.

Signs of distressed native mammals may include:

aggressive behaviour

inappetence

subdued behaviour

trembling

vocalisation.

Housing design and environmental factors may include:

environmental:

biological control of waste

cleaning routines and methods

drainage and weather protection

general animal housing security

housing furniture

local council requirements related to:

limits to numbers and types of animals allowed

noise control

pest control

restricting access to animals

waste management

ventilation, heating and cooling requirements

housing design:

housing options:

caged

fully enclosed

indoor

moated

naturalistic

outdoor

housing requirements:

compatibility of species housed together

food and water distribution

location considerations

longevity and sturdiness of materials

required floor area for specific species

security considerations

suitability for specific species

species-specific options for animals to hide or rest

designs that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific exercise, feeding or socialising

social options:

solitary

pairs

single sexed groups

polyandrous/polygamous groups

mixed species.

Enrichment needs may include:

food or food-related enrichment:

giving animals opportunities to forage for food by hiding it in substrates

giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)

physical enrichment items:

gnawing manipulada

hide boxes, tunnels and ladders

nest building or bedding material:

shredded paper

straw

substrate or wood shavings

non-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys

perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes

social enrichment:

human imprinting and cohabitation with domestic pets should be avoided as this may prevent successful rehabilitation to the wild

levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed

social 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 levels

compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations

enrichment opportunities

the absence of pests and vermin

the compatibility of species and breeds.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, 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.

Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain native mammals may include:

cages, yards, pens, bags and towels

collars, leads, halters and harnesses

treats and toys.

Methods used to approach and catch native mammals may include:

calling animal

encouraging animal to approach by offering a treat

quietly approaching animal, slipping on collar and attaching lead or catching and holding animal gently with hands

running animal into a small enclosure.

Common health issues may include:

behavioural disorders

environmental hazards:

ventilation

temperature extremes

exposure to the elements

adequate exercise

infectious diseases caused by:

bacteria, virus, fungus and mould

internal and external parasites

non-infection diseases:

nutritional imbalances and disruptions

genetic disorders

metabolic

neoplastic

physical traumas

chemical toxicities and allergies

zoonotic diseases.

General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:

routine health check-up

control of parasites

grooming

immunisation/vaccinations, as required

insect control

quarantine

routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination.

Digestive system features may include:

anatomical features:

mouth and teeth structures

digestive chemicals and bacteria

alimentary canal and stomach

intestines, rectum and anus

physiological features:

eating processes

nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods

waste elimination

feeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the species

potential digestive system malfunctions or problems

water needs.

Food source considerations include:

captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to:

minimise the impact of captivity

stimulate normal digestive function

maximise development of natural survival techniques

prior 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 handling

shelf life of foodstuffs

manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment

contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources

organic and other dusts

excessive noise

possibility of zoonotic infection.

Documentation on the care and management of mammals may include:

accident and incident records

chemical and veterinary supplies register

detailed and accurate records for each animal:

species and sex of animal

identification and history

feeding, health and treatment records

diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records

equipment use, damage and repair register

OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records

provisions records of current stock and items used and items required

stock control records.


Sectors

Unit sector

Species specific


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.