Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify requirements for caring for sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife
- Identify state/territory regulatory requirements for wildlife rehabilitation, shelter and/or foster care
- Source and interpret the key principles and requirements for infection control when working with wildlife from responsible agency
- Identify roles of key personnel within the work environment relating to infection control and biosecurity
- Identify common diseases and quarantine periods relating to specific species of native animals in own region or environment
- Identify zoonotic diseases relevant to wildlife handled in the work environment
- Maintain personal safety and hygiene when handling native wildlife
- Recognise the risks of personal injury, contracting a zoonosis or other health problems, associated with working with wildlife and how these can be minimised
- Maintain personal hygiene when handling animals including washing and sanitising hands and covering cuts and abrasions according to infection control guidelines
- Maintain personal vaccinations/immunisations according to workplace requirements
- Comply with clothing requirements and correctly select, fit, and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Ensure personal hygiene and clean clothing when moving between captive animal enclosures to control spread of disease
- Safely capture and handle native wildlife
- Observe native wildlife behaviour before approaching or handling to assess risks to safety of self, or other people or animals
- Use appropriate techniques, equipment and PPE to capture and handle wildlife to ensure minimum stress and avoid injuries to handlers
- Recognise dangerous species and follow species-specific, safe capture and handling techniques or contact a specialist handler or organisation for assistance
- Secure native wildlife in appropriate enclosure, container and/or vehicle ensuring that the animal is not able to escape or be harmed during transport
- Assess condition and house captured wildlife
- Recognise signs of common diseases, including handling and transport stress, and/or assess the condition of injuries affecting the captured wildlife
- Carry out basic first aid or take captured wildlife to a veterinarian depending on animal condition and nature of injury
- Set up enclosures in a location and environment that minimises the risk of disease and contamination
- Separate animals according to zoning or protective barrier requirements to limit containment of potential disease risks
- Ensure enclosures and bedding minimise potential contamination of the individual and other wildlife on the premise
- Assess rehabilitation and plan release requirements for individual wildlife according to agency and regulatory requirements
- Care for wildlife
- Check quality of feed, supplements and water, locate away from potential sources of contamination and store in designated areas
- Clean, disinfect and/or sterilise feeding bottles and containers to prevent contamination and minimise the spread of disease
- Control access to different areas of the work environment and limit human contact according to infection control guidelines
- Monitor the health and condition of the wildlife responding to individual needs
- Maintain clean and hygienic wildlife captive environments
- Select and prepare appropriate cleaning products, disinfectants and cleaning equipment for activity
- Clean and disinfect animal captive environments according to infection control guidelines and cleaning product instructions
- Change wildlife bedding and/or sort washable items for laundering or disposal
- Ensure enclosures, feed and water are free of contaminants, rodents and vermin
- Dispose of waste according to infection control and environmental practices, and local government requirements
- Maintain records and report infection control and biosecurity activity