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

Conduct a guided experience to view potentially dangerous animals 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335797  Conduct a guided experience to view potentially dangerous animals 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Guiding 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
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 
The learner who achieves competency for this unit standard will be able to guide others on a safe, well conducted walking excursion with the intention to view animals which are potentially dangerous. The sub-field will benefit by having a cadre of personnel in this field with the correct, industry-standardised knowledge and skills. Furthermore, participant satisfaction from an unusual experience, the resulting creation of employment opportunities, and the value-add to other ancillary service opportunities can all be seen as benefits for the sub-field as a whole.

On achievement of this unit standard the learner will understand and be able to:
  • Prepare to conduct a guided nature experience on foot in areas where potentially dangerous animals may occur.
  • Interpret the behaviour of animals in the broader ecological context in terms of human safety.
  • Lead a guided viewing experience of potentially dangerous animals.
  • Demonstrate firearm action drills in the event of an attack by an animal.

    On completion of this unit standard the learner should be ready to develop learning in further, more complex processes related to dangerous animals. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Conduct a guided nature experience at NQF Level 3.
  • Handle and use a rifle or carbine at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare to conduct a guided nature experience on foot in areas where potentially dangerous animals may occur. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A prior assessment is made of the terrain and local environmental conditions in order to prepare for an excursion aimed at the viewing of potentially dangerous animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment is sourced to ensure the safety and comfort of guests. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    may include:
  • First-aid kit, water, appropriate firearm, appropriate ammunition, binoculars, appropriate clothing and refreshments.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An outline is provided of the potentially dangerous animals usually present in a particular area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Potential routes are planned with the intention to provide the expected experience for participants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Communication and coordination are established to accommodate a back-up guide ("2nd rifle") or tracker. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Information brochure is compiled to inform participants and ensure that they arrive properly prepared for the experience. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information may include:
  • Clothing and footwear, appropriate equipment, sun protection, water, repellants against insects and ticks.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Interpret the behaviour of animals in the broader ecological context in terms of human safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The behaviour of potentially dangerous animals in area of operation is explained in terms of the potential impact on the participants. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Behaviour may include signs of agitation, early warning signs of possible aggression, characteristic aggressive behaviour.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of the ways in which the behaviour of other non-dangerous animals may impact on safety in the context of a guided experience aimed at viewing potentially dangerous animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The comfort, alert, threat and critical spatial zones affecting animals are discussed with a view to ensuring the safety of all. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Lead a guided experience to view potentially dangerous animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Opportunities are recognised to enhance the guided experience while ensuring participant safety as well as the safety of animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The directions given during the pre-trail briefing are implemented in order to maintain group cohesion. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Guests are given a comfortable, informative and satisfying viewing experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Interpretive commentary is provided to enhance the guided experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Potentially dangerous animals are approached, viewed and left with due regard to animal and environmental considerations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Animal considerations (herd structure, activity, species, age, breeding status and health).
  • Environmental considerations include wind direction, sun, terrain, concealment, escape route.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The procedure to defuse or avoid a confrontational situation involving a potentially dangerous animal is explained in accordance with company policy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Avoidance, escape route, shouting and backing off slowly.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    An emergency plan for a specific activity is compiled in accordance with organisational requirements related to emergency procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate firearm action drills in the event of an attack by an animal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Circumstances are explained that would merit a violent preventive reaction involving a firearm. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An indication is given of the most appropriate vital target areas on the anatomy of potentially dangerous animals which can be expected to be encountered in a particular area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The likely speed and mode of charge of potentially dangerous animals which can be expected to be encountered in a particular area of operation are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Accurate shot placement for the dispatch of a charging animal is displayed in accordance with organisational requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed against this unit standard for the purposes of achieving credits, including through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution recognised for assessment purposes by the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA), or one with an appropriate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or one with an appropriate MOU with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard, or assessing this unit standard, for the purposes of achieving credits must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or one with an appropriate MOU with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA, or one with an appropriate MOU with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving in the area of ensuring the safety of all when faced with aggressive animal behaviour. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organised professionalism, in order to plan and conduct a guided experience which is expected to involve potentially dangerous animals. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication, both verbal and non-verbal, which is important to the success of a guided nature experience on foot. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Awareness of the world as a set of related systems, which comes strongly to the fore when interpreting the natural ecology. 

    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  71549   Further Education and Training Certificate: Tourist Guiding  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.
     
    1. Eco Training Pty Ltd 
    2. Empower-Ed 
    3. Immaculate Events and Management Solutions 
    4. SA COLLEGE FOR TOURISM 
    5. SSG TRAINING ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    6. The Nature College 


    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.