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Animal Technician
Animal technicians help veterinary, medical, pharmacy,
agricultural and general scientists and students to care for
and check on animals used for research, breeding and
scientific purposes.
Animal technicians may perform the following tasks:
- check and record, on a daily basis, the health status
and behaviour of animals in their care
- prepare food and water and care for laboratory, field or
zoo animals
- look after zoo exhibits, holding or breeding areas and
equipment
- assist in return-to-the-wild programs
- carry out experiments using animals, and record the
results under supervision and according to relevant codes of
practice and the organisation's animal experimentation
ethics committee
- take samples of animal body fluids, faeces or tissues
for analysis or veterinary inspection
- inspect and test animals for worm infestation and
disease
- observe animals' reactions to tests
- make routine calculations and prepare graphs
- clean and disinfect cages and facilities, and sterilise
equipment
- establish and maintain breeding programs
- help in fertility testing with sheep, cattle or poultry
research
- assist in the selection and grading of animals for
breeding programs
- help with injections, surgery, dressings and care of
animals after operations
- assist with the production of animal experimentation
protocols
- humanely put animals down and/or handle animals which
have died
- carry out post-mortem examinations on dead animals.
Animal technicians may specialise as a:
Field Assistant who cares for large animals, such as
sheep and cattle used for research purposes, in outside pens
and paddocks.
Zookeeper who helps care for animals in zoos and
wildlife parks, and provides assistance to veterinary staff.
Zookeepers observe animal behaviour and provide enrichment
activities for the animals in their care. Zookeepers also
provide information to the public on animals and conservation,
and create appropriate environments for education and animal
welfare. Zookeepers may work with a wide variety of wildlife,
both exotic and native, such as birds, mammals and reptiles.
They work in city and open-range zoos. Animal technicians are
usually required to work in shifts and on weekends. Some work
outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. Much of their
time is spent doing routine tasks such as cleaning exhibits
and feeding animals.
Required Skills - Animal Technician
- enjoy practical and manual activities
- interested in animals, their welfare and conservation
- able to handle animals with confidence and patience
- able to make accurate observations
- free from allergies aggravated by animal hair, feathers,
fur and dust
- able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work
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