Australian Seabird Rescue Inc. Policies and Procedures Animal Husbandry Policy and Procedures www.seabirdrescue.org.au ASR aims to reduce the human impact on the environment This policy applies to staff and volunteers of Australian Seabird Rescue Inc. Summary: This document lays down the framework for managing the clinical operations for rescuing, treating, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles, sea snakes and seabirds. 1 AUSTRALIAN SEABIRD RESCUE INC. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY POLICY AND PROCEDURE Title: Animal Husbandry Policy and Procedure Replacing existing policy plan or procedure No Type of document: Policy Plan Procedure Related Legislation or other Documents Department of Planning Industry & Environment (DPIE) NSW: Code of Practice for Injured and Sick Sea turtles and Sea Snakes 2020 Department of Planning Industry & Environment NSW: Rehabilitation of Native Animals Policy 2020 Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Code of Practice for Injured Sick or Orphaned Protected Fauna 2011 Department of Primary Industry NSW: Oil and Chemical Spill Wildlife Response 2012 Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act). NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 Veterinary Practice Act 2003 ASR Interaction with Veterinarians Policy 2021 Author: Anna Dicker, Olly Pitt, Lisa Hood, Penny Beaver Applicable to: All staff and volunteers Distribution to: All staff involved in animal care Distribution by: Orientation Kit, Manual, Central Register, Website Approved by: Date To Take Effect: March 2021 Australian Seabird Rescue Review Date: September 2021 Management Committee 2 CONTENTS Page 1 Title 5 2 Background 5 3 Purpose 5 4 Policy 5 5 Procedure 5 5.1 Animal Husbandry -Marine Turtles and Sea Snakes 5 5.1.1 Rescue Care 5 5.1.1.1 Sea Turtles 6 5.1.1.2 Sea Snakes 7 5.1.2 Transport 7 5.1.2.1 Sea Turtles 8 5.1.2.2 Sea Snakes 8 5.1.3 Admission 8 5.1.3.1 Assessment 8 5.1.3.1.1 Sea Turtles 9 5.1.3.1.2 Sea Snakes 9 5.1.3.2 Housing on Admission 9 5.1.3.2.1 Sea Turtles 9 5.1.3.2.2 Sea Snakes 10 5.1.3.3 Record Keeping 10 5.1.3.4 Initial Treatment 10 5.1.3.4.1 Sea Turtles 10 5.1.3.4.2 Sea Snakes 11 5.1.4 Ongoing Treatment 11 5.1.4.1 Sea Turtles 11 5.1.4.2 Sea Snakes 11 5.1.5 Tank Care 11 5.1.6 Feeding 12 5.1.6.1 Sea Turtles 12 5.1.6.2 Sea Snakes 12 5.1.6.3 Tube Feeding 13 5.1.7 Hatchlings 13 5.1.7.1 Rescue 13 5.1.7.2 Admission 13 5.1.7.3 Identification 14 5.1.7.4 Diet 14 5.1.8 Equipment Use 14 5.1.9 Veterinary Care 14 5.1.10 Euthanasia 14 5.1.11 Disposal of Carcasses 15 5.1.12 Release 15 5.1.13 Work Health and Safety 15 5.1.14 Tagging 16 5.1.15 Necropsies 16 5.1.16 Data Collection 16 5.1.17 Medication Purchase & Storage 16 5.1.18 Training & Protocols 16 PART 2 5.2 Animal Husbandry Birds 17 5.2.1 Rescue 17 5.2.2 Transport 19 5.2.3 Handling of Birds 19 5.2.4 Admission 19 3 5.2.4.1 Rehydration 19 5.2.4.2 Medication 19 5.2.4.3 Wounds 20 5.2.4.4 Parasites 20 5.2.4.5 General Feeding 20 5.2.4.6 Tube Feeding 20 5.2.4.7 Observations 20 5.2.5 Housing 21 5.2.5.1 Intensive Care 21 5.2.5.2 Intermediate Care 21 5.2.5.3 Pre-Release 22 5.2.5.4 Guidelines for Housing Birds 23 5.2.6 General Aviary Care 23 5.2.7 Euthanasia 23 5.2.8 Disposal of Carcasses 24 5.2.9 Release 24 5.2.10 Display 24 5.2.11 Work Health and Safety 24 6 Definitions 24 7 Appendices 25 7.1 Rescue Data Birds 26 7.2 Admission Turtles 27 7.3 Rehab record 28 7.4 Feeding Record Turtle 29 7.5 Feeding Record Bird 30 4 1 Title: Animal Husbandry Policy and Procedures 2 Background Australian Seabird Rescue Inc (ASR) is licensed to rehabilitate and release sick, injured and orphaned marine reptiles and seabirds by the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment NSW under license no MWL000100290. ASR is committed to follow the DPIE Codes of Practice for the treatment and rehabilitation of protected fauna (Seabirds and Marine Reptiles). ASR has a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Industry to assist with the rehabilitation of seabirds and marine reptiles affected in an oil spill. If a state disaster is declared ASR operates under the Incident Controller. 3 Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework to enable a responsive and effective approach to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick and injured marine reptiles and seabirds. 4 Policy It is the policy of ASR that the rescue, care and rehabilitation of protected native fauna is carried out in accordance with the DPIE Code of Practice: for sick and injured sea turtles and sea snakes, the DPIE Code of Practice for the rehabilitation of protected Native Animals Policy and the OEH Code of Practice for Injured Sick or Orphaned Protected Fauna It is also the policy of ASR that this care will only be carried out by licensed members of ASR who have undergone appropriate training and assessment. 5 Procedure 5.1 Marine Turtles and Sea Snakes 5.1.1 Rescue When conducting a marine reptile rescue these measures must be undertaken to minimise further stress and injury to the animal. • Prior to a rescue attempt, the rescuer must assess the risks to the marine reptile from environmental hazards and from capture. • Prior to a rescue attempt, the rescuer must assess the risks to themselves and members of the public. • Rescuers must only attempt to rescue marine reptiles when a sufficient number of trained personnel for that species and size are involved. (e.g. for every 20 kilograms of sea turtle weight an extra person will be needed). • If a marine reptile is entangled in shark meshing equipment, the Department of Primary Industries Fishers Watch Phoneline 1800 043 536 must be contacted. Under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 it is illegal for anyone to interfere with commercial fishing equipment, and shark meshing equipment falls within this definition. • Rescuers should take steps to protect marine reptiles from additional stressors during rescue, such as onlookers, loud noises, other animals and extremes of temperature. • Rescue details must be recorded on a rescue data form (Appendix 1). 5 The decision tree must be followed when determining how to respond to a marine reptile encounter: 5.1.1.1 Sea Turtles • The rescue of a sea turtle must only be undertaken by individuals that hold an authority by ASR. • Sea turtles with an injury to their carapace or plastron may require immediate first aid to stabilise the injury prior to transport. (e.g. use a splint and a self-adhesive bandage around the break on the carapace). • Sea turtles with injuries to their carapace and/or plastron must be lifted on a solid object with cushioning such as a stretcher, mat or foam. This prevents further movement of the carapace and will minimise pain and prevent further injury. 6 • Sea turtles over 20 kilograms require the use of specialised lifting mats and multiple rescuers. • A sea turtle must be picked up by holding the front and back of the carapace. They must not be picked up by the sides of the carapace or by the flippers (exception is when the carapace is unstable). • Large adult female sea turtles that are mobile must be observed before rescuing to determine if they are nesting females. If the sea turtle is observed nesting: - all personnel must move away - the sea turtle must only be approached from behind and never past the head to remain out of the turtle’s line of vision - lights (except red light) and flash photography must be turned off - NPWS contacted (13000 PARKS) to secure the site. 5.1.1.2 Sea Snakes • Sea snakes must only be rescued by ASR rehabilitators who have undertaken venomous snake handling course which includes training in venomous snake bite first aid. • Members of the public must not be involved with the rescue of sea snakes and encouraged to keep away from the animal to minimise the risk of snake bite. • Sea snakes must be captured using a snake hook or thick gloves and have the bulk of their body supported during capture to avoid injury to the spine. • All marine snakes are venomous with a potentially fatal bite. 5.1.2 Transport • Measures must be taken to minimise further stress and injury to a marine reptile during transport. This applies to all movements of marine reptiles including from the point of rescue to a veterinary(vet) surgery, between rehabilitation facilities and to the release site. • Transport methods and container sizes must be appropriate for the size, strength and temperament of the marine reptile. • Containers must be secured to prevent injuries to the marine reptile. • While in the container the marine reptile must be positioned so its breathing is not restricted, and its pain or discomfort is minimised. • The container must be well-ventilated so air can circulate around the marine reptile • Children and pets during transport should be avoided.