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

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles for the keeping of crocodiles in captivity 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261581  Demonstrate an understanding of the principles for the keeping of crocodiles in captivity 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Animal Protection Standards 
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  4 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
The purpose of this unit standard is to provide the animal protection inspector with an understanding of the commercial crocodile farming industry, the requirements for keeping crocodiles in captivity and the resultant welfare issues to successfully undertake a meaningful inspection.

This unit standard addresses these needs, and learners credited with it will:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the biology of crocodiles and the different species most commonly found in South Africa.
  • Explain the difference between crocodile farming operations and other reasons for keeping crocodiles in captivity.
  • Identify the health, welfare and general requirements for the keeping of crocodiles in captivity.
  • Identify the relevant legislation, standards and codes relating to crocodiles.
  • Identify the different stages of crocodile growth and explain each of the stages specific enclosure, water and feeding requirements.
  • Identify the requirements for egg collection and incubation.
  • Describe the capture, transport and release methods of crocodiles. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the biology of crocodiles and the different species most commonly found in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The general biology of a crocodile is explained in terms of distinguishing features. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different species of crocodiles most commonly found in South Africa are identified and differentiated between in terms of their particular characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Specie specific natural requirements are given for the different species. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the difference between crocodile farming operations and other reasons for keeping crocodiles in captivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different reasons for keeping crocodiles in captivity are identified that go beyond crocodile farming. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Crocodile farming is explained in terms of its broader sense. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify the health, welfare and general requirements for the keeping of crocodiles in captivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The general environmental requirements of crocodiles are identified and explained in terms of how they benefit the development of the crocodile through different stages. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environmental requirements include but are not limited to temperature, humidity and stocking density.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Areas of concern are identified with reference to the handling of crocodiles for given scenarios. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Basic requirements for crocodile health and hygiene are identified in accordance with good farming principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The crocodiles' physical condition is assessed and reported on in accordance with generally accepted procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Welfare issues are explained with regard to the keeping of crocodiles in a captive environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify the relevant legislation, standards and codes relating to crocodiles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant legislation is identified as it pertains to the keeping of crocodiles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relevant South African National Standards and other relevant codes of practice are described in terms of their applicability on the keeping of crocodiles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Identify the different stages of crocodile growth and explain each of the stages specific enclosure, water and feeding requirements. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes hatchlings, juveniles adult and breeding crocodiles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The stages of crocodile growth are explained in terms of the development process and specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The enclosure requirements are identified and explained for the different stages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The water requirements are identified and explained for the different stages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Feeding regimes and requirements are identified and explained for the different stages. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Identify the requirements for egg collection and incubation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The general requirements for egg collection and handling are identified focusing on safety of the crocodile and the catching team. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The welfare requirements for the handling of newly hatched crocodiles are explained in accordance with relevant legislation and generally accepted procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Describe the capture, transport and release methods of crocodiles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The general requirements for capture are identified in terms of safety of the crocodile and the catching team. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different capture methods are described that are relevant to the different stages of development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Acceptable methods of transportation and movement are explained in terms of crocodile wellbeing and personnel safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Relevant welfare issues surrounding the capture, transportation and release of crocodiles are explained in accordance with relevant legislation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of this unit standard should be contextual and practical.
  • Assessors and moderators must be registered with the relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Assessors should be in possession of a relevant qualification that is at least one level higher than the level of this unit standard or have at least 5 years relevant practical experience.
  • Training providers must be accredited by a relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment should include both formative and summative assessment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Ability to identify occupational health and safety matters and be able to react on such. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking when deciding how to evaluate the condition of crocodiles and their environments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when referring to written and pictorial material prior to evaluating the condition of crocodiles. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when preparing to give explanations on the various aspects of crocodiles in captivity. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language tools when explaining the characteristics of crocodiles and their environmental needs. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems when giving examples of different capture and transportation methods and the implications of these. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65229   Further Education and Training Certificate: Animal Protection  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  LG SETA 


    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.