monitoring

Specimens

Specimens.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Use appropriate method/s to collect a range of environmental data and/or specimens.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Fauna- dead or alive. Dead insects can be pinned down to preserve them for a longer time. embrio's or certain animals can be jarred in formalin.

         Flora- can be pressed between cardbordboxes and newspaper, covered with a stabel wooden casing    pressed together.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

When collecting a specimen you should note and record the location and co-ordinates of the specific area aswell as marking it of on a simple map of the enviorment. record the weather conditions as well as temperature of your surroundings and any variables than might be important. The date and time, season etc should all be brought into consideration. keep the data with the specimen after selection the most important details.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

A range of environmental data should be kept and uploaded in the area in which the specimen was found. An annual update should be done on the data, example weather, season, habitat condition. Record on the different species found in different areas and which parallels occur. The recorded data should include the exact location, on a slope or on a mountain or on pastures etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Including but not limited to soil, invertebrates, vertebrates, vegetation, rainfall, temperature etc.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Locate and record the area for collection.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Applicable navigation techniques are used to reach the collection site as specified for data or specimen collection: when a spesific specimen is found, it is extreemly important to mark the exact site on a local simple map and retrieve the GPs co-ordinates so that it can be attatched to the specimen and others can find that exact location again for whatever reason.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Use of navigational equipment and maps.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

A record is made of the localities where the specimens will be collected: The area in which the object was found should be dually noted example, country, province, town, grid reffrence and co-ordinates, landmarks.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Required specimens are collected; data obtained and/or prepared using prescribed methods and procedures: During field work, the collector will use his note-book for “on the spot” observations. On returning home, he should—even at some inconvenience—sort over and roughly classify the specimens, discarding unwanted material at once. Sketches and colour records must now be completed while the animals are still alive. The field sheets should then be filled in, before exact details are forgotten. The amount to be recorded will vary greatly from group to group, according to the amount known, or to the collector's interest in the material. The sheets provide for ample detail, but it is tedious to repeat exhaustive information on each sheet. If too much detail is aimed at, the collector, after a day in the field, will probably not write up his sheets at all. Each bottle or tube of specimens should be identified by a reference number corresponding to the serial sheet number. Specimens are thus numbered simply in order of collecting and writing up. An abbreviation for the name of the class can be usefully added to the sheet below the serial number, e.g. (CTEN — GASTR — CRUST —). The sheets may then be filed in serial order, and, if necessary, as the collection grows, cross-indexed in taxonomic and ecological categories. Details of locality, type of environment, ecological association should be specified, with date and collector's name. Space is left for details of novelty or special interest, but with well-investigated species, this will not necessarily be filled. Reference should be given to any life drawing, colour record, slide or other preparation made from living material. After identification the specific name can be added in the space provided, together with a note referring to taxonomic or general literature

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Records and relevant data are kept of the precise location where the specimens were collected: After a precise record has been made the data should be kept with the correct specimen for further referral or research.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Required environmental data is recorded using appropriate methods and equipment: The bulk of the information about a specimen should be entered on the record sheet. It is not usually convenient to label material exhaustively in situations. Labels attached to the container should include the habitat, locality and date, and the collector's initial, with perhaps a condensation of any other information to which it is desired to refer without turning up the field sheet. Most important, there should be a reference number to the written field record

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Tree diameter, prevailing weather condition, and photographs taken.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

A review is given of what constitutes ethical collecting practices: Collect, obtain data and/or prepare the required specimens according to prescribed procedures: After the specimen was found it is important to preserve the specimen properly so that it does not damage or break and loos complete value. Specimens from any field collection should be deposited in a reference collection in an institutional for the long-term maintenance and access for the future. The animals should therefore be preserved in the best possible condition and where possible, ensure that the natural colour is retained, their external appendages (e.g. fins) are erected and stomach contents intact. Care should be taken to ensure that specimens are undamaged. Features important in the taxonomic study of fish, for example, are easily damaged with contact even after preservation. Live crabs before preservation should be kept individually as some species will damage each other and other animals, especially fish even when they are being directly preserved. Specimens collected during an expedition are to be killed immediately on site. Photography, if required should be conducted on the spot. Do not crowd living animals in small containers - this will result in damage to their surfaces or appendages. Do not keep animals for preservation "later" as it may die and pollute a container, killing others, even leading to a distortion of morphological features and other damage. This reduces their value as scientific specimens which is the objective of collection in the first place. A well-preserved specimen will generate more accurate information and is ultimately more humane.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Live specimens are released in area of origin where transportation and additional data collection is not required: when releasing an animal speciman it is important to release it back to the same habitat where it was captured, as not to confuse sosial structures or territory. animals are accustomed to theis surroundings and habitat, special climates and seasons.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Package specimens safely for transportation.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Living specimens obtained for data collection purposes are transported correctly and humanely: when transportinf live animals one should consider a cage, box etc for travelling in to be comfertable and clearly marked to be fragile and  which side upwards. that infact the animal is LIVE and adresses aswell as return adresses should be clearly visible. Air transport is the preferred method of transporting any live specimens as it is also the quickest and the specimen wount strain.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Dead specimens are suitably preserved (without damage): Preserving dead spesimens will include jarred (air tight), pressed and pinned etc. it should be dried out for atleast 3 week and can then be observed, studies etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Specimens are suitably packaged according to organisational procedures: All collecting is to be conducted in a responsible manner, with full consideration of the three „R‟s principle (replacement, reduction and refinement) in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. The Three Rs Principle states that: · animals which might suffer are used only when necessary (Replacement), · no more and no fewer animals are used than are required to achieve the objectives of the work (Reduction), and · any pain, suffering or other harm, which may be caused to animals, is minimised (Refinement).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Steps are taken to ensure that all relevant information accompanies the specimens. Usually the specimen has to have a tag with all relevant information, where it was found, time and date it was found, sex, age and colour of the speciment. So you can go back and look at the information at any given time.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The specimens are delivered to the prescribed place and handed over to a designated personnel.

When transporting specimens the most important thing is that the package it is transported in has a tracking number, so that you could trace it if nessesary. On the package it is important to have the addres where it is from and where it is delivered to, a cell phone number of the person who's package it is. Always make sure that someone is ready to collect the package.

Fire

Ignite,Control & extinguish fires in a conservation area

I.D:252461

SO1: Assist in preparing to burn.
AC1: Are all equipment in working order, checked and on standard?

Fire beaters:(Broom stick with a conveyor belt connected to stick and cut into reaps.)

• Check if all sticks are in working order and not broken/splinted.
• Check if all conveyor strips are tighten and still in working condition.

Igniter:(To make a back burn)

• Check if pipes are all clean and free of debri.
• Check if petrol and diesel is mixed and enough in tank.
• Check if igniter is in working condition.

Water carriers: (Big water tank standing in the bush to make sure all fire fighing staff can refill quickly. And water carrier is never in the fight.)

• Check water level
• Check for leakage.
• Check if all hoses works.
• Make sure its in working condition.

Knapsac sprays:(Water tank carried on back to spray fire with water.)

• Check if water carriers is full(water)
• Check for leakage
• Make sure the hose is working.
• Check if hose seals.

First aid kit: (Gets taken to the fire fight in case of injury)

• Make sure all the needed equipment is in the box.
• make sure box is easy accessible.
• Make sure all equipment is in working order and ''fresh''

Bakkie sakkie:(fire fighting bakkie-Bakkie with water tank and fire hoses on the back)

• make sure all engins works and has oil,petrol and water in.
• Check all water pumps.
• Make sure water level is always full.
• Check vehicle lights if working.

Communication tools:(cellphones, Radio's)

• All radios must work on same frequency.
• All radios must work.
• Make sure all staff has all the fire fighting staffs number.
• Fire chief must be accessible.
• All radios must be fully charged. 

________________________________________________

Legislation: South Africa:

1. National(South Africa)
2. Provincial(Limpopo)
3. Local/Regional(Bela-Bela)

Mosaic Fire: Burn in a certain pattern(Better for ecological purposes)
Block burn: Used commonly in South Africa-(Easier to control)

Night burning:

• Embers could be followed better.
• Can see better in which direction fire is spreading.
• Heat is less at night so 1 Factor remove from fire triangle

Maintanance

Basic field infrastructure maintenance in a conservation area

SAQA US ID: 252450

Q- Specific outcomes 1:

Are there any faulty or problematic field infrastructure?

A- Yes, there is a faulty Hide by the maroela entertainment area where the Hide is in a really bad condition and needs urgent attention and some re-varnishing!

AC1: An explanation is given of the role regular maintenance plays in preserving the life of field infrastructure.

Ø  The pro’s of maintenance

AC2: An outline is provided of the implication of not carrying out maintenance timeously

Ø  The cons of maintenance.

AC3: Field infrastructure requiring maintenance is identified in the area of operation.

Ø  ID infrastructure: Windmills, road paths, fences, dam, pumps.

AC4: A self-assessment is made of whether the required repair or maintenance work is within or above the learner’s designated scope of accountability.

Ø  Self assessment(Know what’s your scope)

AC5: An assessment is made of the current condition of field infrastructural elements within a conservation area.

Ø  Current condition of content.

Specific outcomes 2:(Report)

AC1: A written report on required maintenance work for field infrastructure is prepared for management as it relates to identified maintenance requirements.

Ø  Report-Verbal, Written, or both.

AC2: Management is alerted regarding work falling outside of the learners designated scope authority.

Ø  Do work that is in your scope.

Specific outcomes 3:(Maintain/Repair)

Carry out basic repair work to infrastructure.

AC1: Authorisation is obtained to carry out basic repair work within designated scope authority.

Ø  Authorisation- Get Authorisation from your senior.

AC2: The required tools, physical resources and labour are obtained in order to complete the work successfully.

Ø  Tools- Sign in, Book out, picking slip.

AC3: Tools and materials are used, maintained and stored correctly.

Ø  Tools- Stored safely.

AC4: Work is completed to the required standard.

Ø  Do work properly

Specific outcomes 4:( Identify problems & Suggestions)

AC1: An assessment is made of the repair work to field infrastructure in (SO3) as it relates to the effectiveness and efficiency of physical and human utilisation.

Ø  Show work is done properly.

AC2:A report is prepared outlining suggestions for improvement in future maintenance of field infrastructure.

Ø  Make suggestions so that it wont happen again and discus with your fellow workers and seniors

maps of sondela

Areas on sondela where erosion or disturbances has occured previosly. such as previos farmlands or cultivated lands

Maps of sondela

Animal distribution

Treated areas on sondela

Roads and trails commonly used

Species care, last week :(

in the last week we have released an hayena, had serval babies, our baby buffelo died from infections, and we had released the harrierhawk, we also moved our baby monky's to a better equiped sancuary and so its a sweet and sour week as we have to say goodbye to the babies we love and took care of.

the monkeys

the Serval kittens

the harrier Hawk

The Harier Hawk

So here are some of the animals that lives/ lived at Wildlife centre

our lion cubs when they still were cubs* arent they adorable?

Our bushbaby, dobby, hence the eyes..

.

this is our baby Nyala, Duke. he still gets milk from the care takers

Brown hayena that we saved from a snare, set up by pouchers! harsh reality...

Week 3 in Species care!

the past week has been the most awesome ever!

Tuesday- the french natural geographic camera crew was here to film one of South Africa's biggest owls, and we ended up saving a hyena that got snared by poachers! the brown hyena was badly hurt but thanks to sondela staff and a french vet he made a recovery!

Wednesday- we decided that our 2 lions needs to be walked and that was an extreme challenge in it self! It was an experience of a life time!

Thursday- We received a African harrier  hawk that got poisoned.

Friday- we got a baby Buffalo! the mother rejected him and now he has joined the family at sondela <3

Saturday- i had night duty. the hyena is doing much better and the African harrier hawk has made a recovery! always good news.

Monday- i had night duty, we released the African harrier hawk! it was beautiful! he was ringed before hand and i learned allot about ringing i didn't know! such an awesome feeling, returning something back into his natural habitat! will post photo's soon!