SUPERSEDED Compiled Plans OPW20/0145.02

    bag should be placed in safe location and everyone should be made aware not to touch any
    bags containing fauna. All containers or bags containing a venomous animal should be labelled
    and closed using zip ties.

    Monitors
    Monitors can be caught by the base of the tail; caution should be taken as these animals are
    powerful and their bite can easily result in severe infections. When you have grabbed an
    animal take care as they will easily swing towards the handler and can cause severe injuries
    through scratching and biting. Once the animal is under some control, use a catch bag or towel
    to cover their head, this will allow the handler to take hold of the neck. The hand/arm holding
    the neck must align the wrist and forearm along the back of the monitor, the animal can then
    be lifted. Tilt the head/neck back a small amount and hold the animal (away from your body)
    be careful of the tail as it will be used to strike.
    These animals need to be released straight away or placed into a suitably sized pet carrier or
    calico/hessian bag.

    Frogs
    The spread of disease, such as the chytrid fungus, may occur as a result of handling frogs.
    Unnecessary handling should be avoided, and the specimen released as soon as possible.
    When handling amphibians, the handler should wear unused disposable gloves or capture and
    handle frogs in single use lightweight plastic bags. Bare hands may be used provided they are
    wiped before each capture with a sterilising alcohol-based hand disinfectant.

    Bats/Flying Foxes
    Bats should not be handled by staff that are not immunised. Bats should always be handled
    with gloves, flying foxes should be handled with heavy duty gloves. Bats can carry a disease
    called Lyssavirus which is closely related to the common rabies. If handlers are bitten or
    scratched it should be reported immediately.
    If several micro-bats are removed from one hollow, they should all be stored in the same
    calico bag.


4.4. Storing Captured Fauna

Captured fauna should be secured in either a calico bag, snake bag or pet carrier after being
captured. If an animal is placed into a bag the end should be securely knotted closed and then tied
using a bag tie or zip-tie.
These bags should be placed in a quite dark location that is the appropriate temperature for the
species that has been captured. Captured fauna should be released into suitable habitat as soon
as possible. Some species are nocturnal and cannot be released till dusk, extra care should be
taken when storing an animal for this long a period to ensure it is not stressed or over/under
heated.
If an animal is injured or orphaned, it should be secured in a manner that prevents unnecessary
stress or increases the severity of its injuries. It should be transported to a wildlife carer or vet
clinic as soon as possible.



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