Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide immediate care for rescued native wildlife and rehabilitating animals.
This unit applies to wildlife animal keepers or carers who work in a captive animal facility, under the direction of a more experienced staff member.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
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. Provide immediate care for rescued animals | 1.1 Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment 1.2 Handle native animals following WHS and animal welfare procedures 1.3 Follow quarantine and disease control procedures according to work place policies and procedures 1.4 Identify animals and initiate emergency care according to work place policies and procedures 1.5 Examine animals and refer seriously injured animals to supervisor or take to veterinary clinic for immediate treatment 1.6 Collect and record information on each animal according to legislative and work place policies and procedures |
2. Rehabilitate rescued animals | 2.1 Apply suitable species-relevant rearing procedures 2.2 Provide captive diets similar to the natural diet of the species 2.3 Identify common problems experienced by rescued animals, and treat as directed by veterinarian 2.4 Implement species-specific recovery procedures 2.5 Process deceased animals for research purposes according to legislative and work place policies and procedures 2.6 Maintain documentation required in relation to rescued wildlife |
3. Prepare animals for post-rehabilitation life | 3.1 Evaluate options for returning mature animals to native habitat 3.2 Evaluate options for orphaned animals 3.3 Provide hunting or foraging skills development opportunities according to workplace policies and procedures 3.4 Provide socialising opportunities according to workplace policies and procedures 3.5 Implement tactics to reduce human interaction |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interpret legislation and codes of practice relevant to animal capture and release Interpret animal identification tags |
Writing | Record details of animal health and history |
Sectors
Captive Animals (CAN)