Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to trap and hold live animals and release or humanely destroy. Animals may be native animals, domestic animals, animals determined to be pests or feral animals.
Trapping techniques call for the use of a variety of equipment and may include the use of lures or baits.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
Some forms of traps are strictly regulated in some States and Territories in Australia. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory authority.
Firearms may be required if trapped animals are to be killed. If this is appropriate, firearm licensing conditions will apply and specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory.
Appropriate firearms licences may also be required for those involved in training and assessment against this unit.
In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for trapping | 1.1 Identify purpose of animal capture and set objectives 1.2 Confirm the location and size of the area designated for trapping activities 1.3 Confirm target animal movement patterns, behaviour and lifecycles to determine trapping location and placement of equipment and appropriate timing of trapping activity 1.4 Identify potential non-target animals 1.5 Estimate time required to complete trapping 1.6 Identify and check vehicles, materials and equipment required for trapping 1.7 Select appropriate traps for target animal and the environment 1.8 Clean, maintain and prepare trapping equipment 1.9 Identify hazards associated with trapping and select appropriate personal protective equipment 1.10 Identify and manage environmental risks associated with trapping animals 1.11 Obtain relevant permissions to enter property 1.12 Determine precautions for minimising trapping of non-target animals |
2. Place and set traps | 2.1 Undertake site surveillance prior to setting traps 2.2 Select and prepare site to maximise opportunity for trapping target animals and minimise the chance of trapping non-target animals 2.3 Position, set and calibrate trapping equipment and check it for strength and security 2.4 Apply lures, decoys, baits or toxins as necessary 2.5 Camouflage traps as required 2.6 Apply precautions to prevent trapping of non-target animals 2.7 Set traps in accordance with legislative requirements and animal welfare codes of practice |
3. Check and remove traps | 3.1 Inspect traps at the required frequency 3.2 Identify trapped animals then release, humanely destroy or prepare for transport as required 3.3 Handle captured animals humanely and in accordance with animal welfare codes of practice 3.4 Transport animals from site, when required, in a safe and appropriate manner 3.5 Observe work health and safety procedures and public safety requirements prior to and during trapping activities 3.6 Release trap mechanism safely and remove trap 3.7 Restore trap-site to its prior condition |
4. Record data | 4.1 Use Global Positioning System (GPS) loggers 4.2 Use appropriate data sheets or other recording instruments to record details of trap sets and lures as well as target and non-target capture |
5. Clean and store equipment and material | 5.1 Clean and store carcases for research or other purposes 5.2 Clean and store equipment and materials to workplace standards to minimise biosecurity risks 5.3 Record target and non-target kills |
6. Report completion of work | 6.1 Report results of trapping activities, including any incidents with animals |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
humanely trap animals and release or destroy the animals as required, following Standard Operating Procedures
identify target and non-target animals present in area
check vehicles, equipment and materials for serviceability and clean equipment before starting and on completing the job
select and prepare the trapping site and restore it on completion of the job
position, set, calibrating and regularly checking trapping equipment
apply lures or baits, if required
select, use and store baits or toxins according to workplace procedures
handle and euthanase captured animals in accordance with animal welfare guidelines
summarise and present trapping data to supervisor
clean and store equipment and carcases using approved chemicals in accordance with Safety Data Sheets and enterprise procedures to minimise biosecurity risks to other animals
apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work
apply appropriate environmental sustainability practices in the context of own work
apply appropriate animal welfare practices in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice
the purpose for trapping the animal
the target animal's range, movement patterns and behaviour and how to apply knowledge of these to selecting trapping location and equipment
the reproductive cycle of the target animal to determine appropriate timing of trapping activities
food preferences, both general and local, of target animals
capture and kill points for target animals
permissions that may be required to undertake trapping
principles relating to property, stock and duty of care
precautions that need to be taken to minimise trapping of non-target animals
how to camouflage traps
how to safely set off traps to render them inactive
work health and safety procedures that relate to trapping animals
recording and reporting requirements
how to use decoys and lures
how to prepare baits or toxins
applicable State or Territory legislation on the use and storage of baits or toxins
applicable legislation on the capture and handling of animals
suitable traps and techniques for the target animal
target animals and non-target native animals also found in the area
suitable personal protective equipment
transportation methods for captured animals
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a real work environment, under work conditions, setting traps for live animals.
If firearms are used to destroy animals then the assessment team must hold firearms licences.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Pest Management (PMG)