Husbandry Guidelines for Hamadryas Baboon Papio Hamadryas
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Husbandry Guidelines for Hamadryas Baboon Papio hamadryas (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae) Compiler: Lauren Turner Date of Preparation: February 2009 Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Course Name and Number: Certificate III in Captive Animals, RUV30204 Lecturer: Graeme Phipps, Jacki Salkeld, Brad Walker DISCLAIMER These husbandry guidelines were produced by the compiler/author at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Richmond College, N.S.W. Australia as part assessment for completion of Certificate III in Captive Animals, Course number 1068. Since the husbandry guidelines are the result of student project work, care should be taken in the interpretation of information therein, - in effect, all care taken but no responsibility is assumed for any loss or damage that may result from the use of these guidelines. It is offered to the ASZK Husbandry Manuals Register for the benefit of animal welfare and care. Husbandry guidelines are utility documents and are ‘works in progress’, so enhancements to these guidelines are invited. 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS Caution should always be taken when working with Hamadryas Baboons, Papio hamadryas. They are generally not aggressive animals and usually not harmful to humans unless provoked, and as a species they could be regarded as a hazardous animal. This is not to say that caution should not be taken when working with this species, as they possess incredibly sharp teeth, are surprisingly fast, are remarkably strong and will attack you if provoked. Using this description P. hamdryas could be classed as a relatively dangerous animal as it could be likely to cause serious injury and even death. It is possible that individuals may be regarded as dangerous or relatively dangerous, but this will need to be determined for each particular animal. All keepers must always consider each animal’s full potential, i.e. an animal’s strength must never be underestimated. Keepers should also be aware of zoonoses (refer to chapter 8.4 and 8.5) such as Herpes B virus, endo and ecto-parasites, Hepatitis A and B, Tuberculosis, Measles etc and take reasonable precautions to prevent these. As some species can inflict serious injuries, all primate handling must be done by experienced trained personnel. Animal care staff must be aware of the potential for injuries and ways to prevent them It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all staff, prior to being exposed to nonhuman primates, have had an appropriate course of immunisation and a pre- employment medical assessment. Continued and regular testing should be undertaken. It is strongly recommended that all personnel in direct contact with primates have a Mantoux skin test to determine prior exposure to tuberculosis and a pre-employment chest x-ray to detect the possible presence of tuberculosis. This chest x-ray should be repeated if the person develops respiratory problems. There must be a written protocol for dealing with bite and scratch wounds from P.hamadryas, including arrangements with the local hospital. Enclosures should have clear signs outlining the risk of handling and/or coming into contact with this species so all keepers and staff members understand the risks involved and safety measures needed. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used when handling this species. When working with Hamadryas Baboons, various hazards exist and these must be reduced or eliminated wherever possible. There are six groups hazards may fall under: physical; chemical; biological; ergonomical; psychological; and radiation. Many hazards will depend on the design and access of the enclosure, however there are general hazards that will exist for all Hamadryas Baboon’s kept in a captive institution. These hazards as well as actions to reduce them are summarised in Table 1. 3 Table 1: Occupational health and safety risks related to carrying out husbandry needs for the Hamadryas Baboon Papio hamadryas and actions to reduce these risks Risk Type of Risks Actions to Reduce Risks Categories Physical Sharp teeth and strong Minimise the handling of baboons or not jaws – may tear your skin going near the baboons when cleaning or a limb off; the enclosure and letting them naturally Enormous body strength get away from where you are cleaning. – can grab you and may cause lacerations by bites Close them off to an area where you are or scratches so they can’t get access to you. Know the behaviour of the species and also of the individual animal. Make sure people are trained in the correct handling techniques and also that that have the correct PPE on of long pants, long shirt, closed in shoes, minimal jewellery and hair tied back. Treat and report bites and scratches. Physical If the enclosure mesh Regular maintenance of cage mesh cage is to have sharp Report anything that can’t be edges or bits sticking out, immediately fixed to your supervisor. it could seriously hurt you and cut you Physical Can injure or strain Getting someone else to help you with yourself by if carrying a any heavy lifting baboon under general Using aids such as a wheeled hydraulic anaesthetic or by carrying food for feeding trolley/table, wheelbarrows or doing out to the baboons small parts at a time. Using the correct lifting technique. Physical Dehydration - you could This can be avoided by taking a break become hot from the and having a drink of water if it becomes elements of the too hot. So drink plenty of water and environment while keep your fluids up. cleaning and maintaining the baboons enclosure Chemical Exposure to all chemicals Wear appropriate PPE – gloves, face used in cleaning - mask, scrub top; hospital grade Use correct dilution; disinfectant; medicines used for treatments – Make sure you wash your hands antibiotics, analgesics, thoroughly after handling the chemicals 4 S8 drugs; agents used in and also make sure all of the chemicals maintaining are wiped off properly if using them in equipment/machinery - the enclosure; WD40. Ensure labels easily visible and present Can irritate your skin or damage your eyes if gets on all chemicals/ medications; in contact with your eyes. Always read instructions and have MSDS sheets available. Biological Contracting zoonoses Wearing PPE such as gloves, a face from the baboon by mask, closed in shoes and a scrub top if either bites, touch or handling any baboon or cleaning its cage through urine or faeces and also making sure you wash your e.g. Herpes B virus, endo and ecto-parasites, hands thoroughly after handling the Hepatitis A and B, baboon or any urine and faeces. Tuberculosis, Measles Staff being appropriately vaccinated and also baboons being vaccinated. Regular health checks of baboons. Clean any wounds obtained from a baboon thoroughly. Also if an animal has a zoonotic disease, then veterinary treatment should be carried out and the animal also should be isolated from others, so it does not pass the infection onto other animals. Ergonomical Injure yourself by Having the right posture when twisting and turning maintaining the enclosure and doing while maintaining the things slowly. enclosure The design of the enclosure to not only suit the animal’s needs but also to be keeper friendly in that most things that are to be cleaned are near the door. Psychological Administering medicines Experienced personnel should carry out for sick or injured euthanasia; individuals, as well as the Experienced staff to administer possibility of having to euthanase a baboon in medicines; your care. A baboon Training of employees. being found dead in daily checking of a colony Radiation Exposure to ultraviolet Wear protective clothing – long sleeves, radiation from the sun; hat and wear sunscreen. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 ASMP CATEGORY ...........................................................................................................................10 1.2 IUCN CATEGORY ............................................................................................................................11 1.3 EA CATEGORY .................................................................................................................................11 1.4 NZ AND PNG CATEGORIES AND LEGISLATION ................................................................................12 1.5 WILD POPULATION MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................12 1.6 SPECIES COORDINATOR ...................................................................................................................12 1.7 STUDBOOK HOLDER .........................................................................................................................12 2 TAXONOMY .....................................................................................................................................13 2.1 NOMENCLATURE ..............................................................................................................................13 2.2 SUBSPECIES ......................................................................................................................................15 2.3 RECENT SYNONYMS .........................................................................................................................15 2.4 OTHER COMMON NAMES .................................................................................................................16