Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What are collection plans?
Collection plans are developed at a regional and institutional level and need to consider species management plans, regional captive management plans, interpretive plans, available facilities, conservation issues, education programs and visitors' experiences of particular captive animal facilities.

What are husbandry manuals and studbooks?
Husbandry manuals may include how to house individual species and details of their biology, behaviour and requirements in captivity; reproductive biology; distribution; and appropriate capture and restraint methods.
Studbooks may include identifiers such as sex, identities of both parents and birth and death dates. They may also include the full transaction history and any information unique to the species such as any data on the reproductive potential of living animals.

Who are internal and external personnel?
Internal and external personnel may include keepers within the section, in other sections and keepers in charge; management; veterinarians; record keepers; species contacts (in-house and regional) and coordinators; husbandry coordinators; studbook keepers; and Taxon Advisory Group contacts and coordinators.

Which identification techniques may be used?
Identification techniques may include microchipping, ear tagging, branding, banding and tattooing.

What type of OHS issues would be relevant in this context?
Animal care for captive animals has a range of associated risks from bites, envenomation, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
Safe work practices are used in packaging and handling loads, including animals. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
Some captive animal facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical spillage. Procedures to reduce the spread of disease may include incident reporting, cleaning, the removal of waste and spillage, the containment or elimination of risk, the use of personal protective equipment and clothing and seeking advice from supervisors.
Keyboard work can cause injury unless the operator is aware of ergonomic issues and the importance of adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Regular breaks from the keyboard should be taken to avoid injury.

How may contributions be made?
Contributions may include individual research into and evaluation of current policies and procedures, feedback from staff on draft policies and procedures, providing feedback on draft institutional and regional collection plans and undertaking professional development roles with the ASMP.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

analyse collection plans and contribute to their review and implementation
communicate effectively with staff on breeding programs
develop and review husbandry manuals and studbooks
manage the transportation of animals between captive animal institutions
maintain accurate records.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

institutional collection planning policies and procedures and other relevant policies and procedures, including OHS
relevant international, federal and state or territory legislation and codes of practice
working knowledge of international agreements and conventions including the World Zoo Conservation Strategy and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources conservation status categories
the role of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks
ASMP and the ASMP Regional Census and Plan
animal identification to sub-species level
principles and constraints of wildlife conservation
collection planning requirements
small population biology
genetic principles for the management of captive animal populations
breeding control methods
concepts of inbreeding and outbreeding
importance of breeding coefficients
stocking policy
database programs for record keeping
report formats for captive animal management plans
animal husbandry manual requirements
criteria for studbook keeping that follows ASMP guidelines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to follow institutional policies and procedures
ability to operate appropriate species management databases
ability to manage demographics within populations
ability to analyse information and write proposals
ability to access technical advice
ability to develop, interpret and review studbooks and husbandry manuals
ability to maintain section records
literacy skills to read and implement institutional policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; interpret studbook data; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from supervisors and consulting with supervisors
numeracy skills to complete arithmetic calculations and interpret studbooks
interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds
problem-solving skills to interpret breeding coefficients.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate captive animal workplace
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
institutional policies and procedures
relevant legislation, codes of practice, IATA regulations and international agreements and conventions
ASMP, ASMP Regional Census and Plan and institutional collection plans
husbandry manuals and studbooks
breeding programs
species management databases
section records.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace.
There must be access in this situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
RUV3405A Develop an institutional husbandry manual

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Through the implementation of collection plans. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting and organising breeding data and inputting it into a database. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By preparing animal husbandry manuals. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others on implementing breeding plans. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By analysing studbooks and breeding data. (2)

Solving problems
By applying genetic management strategies. (3)

Using technology
By using electronic databases and the Internet to access information. (2)