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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. |