Species care workbook

Workbook

SO1, SO4, U/S 113822

a)Explain what is meant by the “flight or fright” response in animals and how it relates to their comfort zones:

Every animal has a comfort zone, some a larger range than others, and when entering a comfort zone, at a certain distance it will engage in a fight or flight reaction, were it will either run away or attack you. This distance is also called a flight distance, at which the animal will retreat. Thus a comfort zone is the area around the animal in which he will notice you and react a certain way, if you let him feel uncomfortable.

b)Explain the animals possible behavioral reactions to your approach, presence, in and leaving the enclosure.

Approuching an animal should be done in such a way that the animal doesn’t feel threatened and it must have an escape possibility. Your presence in an enclosure can possibly be stressfull to an animal especially if its not tame near human contact. When leaving a cage, first keep you eyes on the animal and determine whether its save to leave, if not ,try to distract the animal and then leave with your back faced to the exit.

Example: the servals, Luke and Lea

When entering the cage you must do it while destracting them and carefull, with slow movements. Because Lea is extremely stressed around humans and has a large  comfort zone, she will continuously hiss and growl at you, especially when your near her (15 feet). When leaving the enclosure you must keep an eye on the servals especially Lea as she has escaped before!

SO2, SO4, SO6, U/S 113821 and 113822

Detail what could be done to reduce animals stress. How is this related to showing empathy to the animals in your care?

To reduce an animals stress you can speak to it quetly and move slowly about it, not threaten its comfort zone and keep it away from load noises. Soothing and calming tones, let it know your coming by talking softly to it from far away. It relates to showing empathy because you set the animal at ease, and assure it that your not a threat so that it will calm down around you.

Explain the cleaning and sterilizing procedures of the milk bottles and measuring utensils and why must they be sterilized?

The bottles and measuring utensils must be sterilized and washed out after each feeding to minimize and/or eliminate most bacteria. Firstly wash out the bottle and teat and dunk completely in Milton for sterilization at least for an half hour minimum. The bacteria buildup can cause dioreah for some babies and illnesses. Other utensils are also washed and dunked in Milton.

3 types of other waste such as physical, medical, and chemical:

a)Define and give examples:

·         Physical- any utensils that are not damaging to animals, humans or inviorment. Ep: measuring jug.

·         Medical- any equipment that would be used to treat animals with medicines ep: suringes and needles

·         Chemical- any substances used to clean, treat, disinfect surfaces, areas and utensils. Ep: paint thinners, savlon etc.

b)Why does WLC handel it this way?

·         It is important to dispose of these wastes correctly to protect staff, animals, the public and the enviorment. If chemicals are just thrown down the drain, it could explode if a mixture was caused.

·         Animals could pick up diseases from the waste

·         Bacteria growth could be favorable.

·         Pest would be attracted and infestations could occure which has a negative effect on animals and public areas near by.

As a sanctuary and educational centre, the wildlife centre must ensure animal, public and your safety. What measures must be implemented to keep our enclosures safe?

Ocupational Health and Safety procedures must be followed which are in place to protect yourself, the animals and the public. Maintenance procedures like cutting of branches and cutting of wires are done weekly or when neccecary. Fences are checked frequently to ensure the safety of animals and humans.(lions) path ways are designated with rocks and cleared weekly to ensure it is safe. Signes are put up to warn and notice people of the surrounding hazards etc.

Animals that have newly arrived at the wild life centre are very sensitive and there are few things to be done to ensure their introduction to captive care goes smooth:

When an animal arrives it is natuaraly stressed and terrified. All loud noises must be eliminated and all staff members speak in low wispers, slow movements and the animal is moved ito a dark boma area so that it can calm down, only selected people will work with the animal and  research was done before hand to find out its natural habitat so that you can accommodate it. Asses the animal when it arrives if it needs medical attention. When a wild animal, very little contact with the animal, when tame more interaction will be allowed to calm the animal down.