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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Plan the construction, monitoring and maintenance of wildlife fences 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253970  Plan the construction, monitoring and maintenance of wildlife fences 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at individuals involved in the planning of the construction, monitoring and maintenance of wildlife fences. Learners found competent against this unit standard will be able to plan, co-ordinate, erect and dismantle a game fence through applying appropriate techniques and actions. This competence will enable the qualifying learner to assist conservation managers in the erection of fencing to effectively control animal movement in a conservation area.

Learners found competent against this unit standard will be able to:
  • Plan and erect a fence on or inside the boundaries of the protected area.
  • Initiate and implement a preparation phase to achieve determined objectives.
  • Construct and complete the fence according to specifications including electrification.
  • Patrol and maintain the fence on a regular basis.
  • Monitor the fence for effectiveness and undertake needed corrective actions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
  • Basic Infrastructural Maintenance. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan and erect a fence on or inside the boundaries of the protected area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A fence is planned with due consideration to the management objectives to be achieved. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Implementation, cost-effectiveness, personnel, equipment, terrain.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The exact placement of the fence and the particular type of fencing to be used are determined to facilitate the containment of particular animal species. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Plans are made with due consideration to the social impact of the proposed fence on neighbouring communities. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Initiate and implement a preparation phase to achieve determined objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Beacons are marked out at the legal boundary of the area to be fenced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Terrain is prepared to facilitate the erection of the fence. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    De-bushing, levelling and overcoming obstacles such as rocky ridges.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Activities in the preparation phase are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Construct and complete the fence according to specifications including electrification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fence is erected in the designated line according to specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The fence is electrified to improve its deterrent effect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The fence and its electrification are completed according to specifications and within specified time deadlines. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Patrol and maintain the fence on a regular basis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Patrols are undertaken on a regular basis to assess the state of the fence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The repair of breakages is facilitated to maintain the fence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Maintenance work is carried out on the fence and its electrification. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor the fence for effectiveness and undertake needed corrective actions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fence is monitored for its effectiveness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Problem areas are identified and corrective actions are undertaken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Accurate records are kept of breaches of the fence, the species that escape as well as any damage that occurs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Notes are made of the impact of escaped animals on neighbouring communities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Unnecessary fences are removed in accordance with specific Environmental Impact Assessment/Environmental Management Plan (EMP). 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Legal boundaries of the area.
  • Terrain where fence will be erected and its effect - implementation and cost effectiveness.
  • Access roads to and along boundaries.
  • Effect of rainfall and water run-off on the fence.
  • Habitat susceptibility to fire and possible effect of fire on the fence.
  • Correct use and possible side effects of herbicides used to maintain the fence.
  • Relevant legislation and procedures and the issue of compensation and liability.
  • Location and navigation methods.
  • Proper use of herbicide and equipment.
  • Map and aerial photography interpretation.
  • Fundamental use of surveying equipment and surveying techniques.
  • Electrification - design, erection and maintenance.
  • Cable unravelling.
  • Fence removal.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements.
  • Fence erection according to stipulated specifications.
  • Suitable type of fencing to be chosen according to the species to be controlled.
  • Suitability of fence type selected to the terrain.
  • Considering and evaluating fence effectiveness in relation to management objectives.
  • Identifying and marking boundary beacons.
  • Preparation of the area where the fence is to be erected to facilitate construction in an environmentally responsible way.
  • Effective placement of fences to facilitate the containment of animals.
  • Servicing and maintaining appropriate machinery and equipment.
  • Identifying and correcting weaknesses in the fence.
  • Taking adequate precautions to prevent animals escaping.
  • Providing public liability insurance to cover compensation for damage caused by escaped animals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving:
  • This ability is cultivated when considering the obstacles to be overcome during the planning and erection of a fence in a conservation area. It is necessary for the learner to be fully aware of the balancing act involved in pursuing conservation objectives while simultaneously giving the utmost consideration to the sensitivities of neighbouring communities. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation:
  • When planning a new fence, the appropriate actions can only be carried out by carefully evaluating information on the implementation of the plan, its cost-effectiveness, the available personnel and equipment, as well as the nature of the terrain on which the fence will be erected. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems:
  • This awareness is fostered by the learner's careful consideration of the Environmental Impact Assessment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems, thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59949   National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.