The University of Newcastle Animal Care and Ethics Committee Methodology Document Document Number: ACEC: 22 Document Name: The use of wildlife in research. Date of ACEC Approval: 6 December 2013 Amendment History: V1.1 Replaces V1.0 of ACEC:22 approved 27/9/1996 Date of Next Review: 31 December 2016 Document Contact: Manager, Animal Welfare and Training 1. Context/Overview The use of wildlife in research requires special consideration by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee. This document describes the particular concerns generated by the use of wildlife in research and specific techniques required to minimise the impact of research procedures on wildlife. 2. Definitions In the context of this document: Current best practice is as defined in the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. wildlife is as defined in the Australian code for the care and use of animals in research: free-living animals of native or introduced species, including those that are captive bred and those captured from free-living populations. 3. Guidelines 3.1 Introduction Animal Care and Ethics Committee members may have particular concerns about the use of wildlife in research and these concerns should be addressed in any application to the ACEC. These concerns include: a) Native fauna have special legal protection. Native fauna in general is protected from disturbance, collection, transport or holding and permits are necessary to carry out any research on native fauna
b) There is a generally acknowledged widespread public interest in the protection of native fauna, which does not apply to non-native animals. The concept of heritage value involves the idea that special considerations apply to a nation s heritage. The Australian public articulate an appreciation of the uniqueness of our natural heritage and a resistance to the idea that it should be treated as if it were of exactly the same status as feral or laboratory animals. The idea that heritage is something valuable and should be conserved is now very widely accepted in contemporary society (Davison & McConville 1991, p. 1). c) The fact a particular thing s existence has been minimally influenced (if at all) by human activity may be one reason behind the value placed, for example, on wilderness. And such a consideration can apply just as much to individual fauna. (See also Elliot 1993, especially pp. 289-293) d) Wildlife, whether native or introduced have a heightened sensitivity to human interference. e) Wildlife, particularly free living animals, are far more susceptible to stress and injury that domestic species, particularly during capture, handling, restraint and transportation. (Tribe & Spielman 1996, p. 1). 3.2 Types of wildlife studies Wildlife studies vary in their impact upon the well -being of the animals studied: a) Observational field studies are often carried out with the aim of learning about the ecology of a population of animals in the field and minimising the disturbance to the animals involved is an essential part of the study, however human observation can disturb normal wildlife activities such that animals abandon their territories or young. Accessing habitats may create trails that disturb normal habitat. b) Habitat manipulation field studies involve changes to wildlife habitat may affect the animals being studied and non target species. c) Capture, morphometric analysis, marking and sampling field studies are relatively invasive and may have significant impacts upon the animals studied. These impacts will vary with the method of capture, the type of marking and the nature of the sampling. Capture and handling of animals may transmit pathogens from one population to another. d) Captive studies of wild caught animals will have significant impacts of the wellbeing of those animals including the stress of being held in captivity and the chance of injury during handling or attempts to escape. Specific information about appropriate housing and diets may not be available. Animals may not
recognise food sources or water supply and may be derived of their social grouping. Where animals are to be released back into the wild the time spent in captivity may lead to rejection by conspecifics and loss of territory. Animals should always be returned to the exact point of capture as soon as possible. 3.3 Ethical Concerns In general: a) Field-based and non-invasive research is of relatively low ethical concern b) Procedures such as capturing, weighing, and measuring raise a higher level of ethical concern c) The taking of blood, tissue samples and the fixing of technological devices (transmitters etc) to fur or flesh are of greater ethical concern. d) Serious ethical concern is raised by experimental procedures involving taking or sacrificing native animals from the wild. e) Most difficult to ethically justify are protocols requiring deliberate infliction of stress and pain on health free-living native animals. 3.4 3Rs in wildlife research Replacement In wildlife studies generally the animals themselves are the object of study and impossible to replace, however some computer modelling techniques are useful for population studies including investigating animal movements and predicting disease spread and should be used where possible. Reduction Reduction in the number of animals used in wildlife studies can be achieved by: a) Appropriate experimental design such as factorial designs to explore the effects of several variables in one experiment. b) Using minimum sample sizes necessary for statistical significance based on pilot studies and literature searches. c) Utilising statistical programmes that indicate when sufficient data has been collected. d) Avoiding repeating studies where possible. e) Sharing data and resources (such as samples collected).
f) Utilising specific baits or traps, or trapping at specific times or locations to minimise capture of non target species. Refinement All potential adverse impacts on animal well-being of target and non target species must be considered during the planning stage of the project, and mechanisms to minimise impacts devised. These may include: a) In observational studies use techniques that limit effects on the animals and habitats. Consider using remote video surveillance rather than frequent human observation. b) Using current best practice capture/ trapping techniques. c) Minimising handling and restraint and using techniques to minimise transmission of pathogens between animals and between sites. d) Using the method of marking that has these least impact on the animal. Consideration should be given to the potential for tags and radio transmitters to get caught, or to reduce the animal s ability to escape from predators, the potential for marking techniques to make the animals more visible to predators, and the potential for the technique to impact on the health of the animals (e.g. infections at microchip insertion sites). e) Use of appropriate anaesthesia or sedation to prevent distress and injury during handling and sampling. f) Using sampling techniques that are the least invasive and leave the animal best able to fend for itself in the wild e.g. consider whether saliva or faeces may be used instead of blood or plasma. g) Use of appropriate monitoring techniques during capture, handling, marking, sampling and release and taking appropriate actions if the animal is not suitable for release. h) Using humane killing techniques where necessary. i) Where humane killing is a part of the project, carrying this out in the field rather than holding and transporting the animals to the laboratory. j) Where is it necessary to hold animals in the field for any period of time, making appropriate arrangements to ensure the minimum of stress to the animal. k) Where it is necessary to transport animals, using current best practice to minimise stress
l) Where it is necessary to hold animals in captivity utilise captive breeding colonies whether possible rather than capturing animals from the wild. 3.4 Summary Projects proposing the use of wildlife raise specific ethical issues for the ACEC. In considering such projects the ACEC will be guided by the principles outlined above and the information provided in the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes as shown in Appendix I. 4. Essential Supporting Documents Animal Research Policy Animal Care and Ethics Committee Procedures Animal Care and Ethics Committee Guidelines Animals Research Act and Regulations (NSW) Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. 5. References 5.1. Davison G, McConville C. (1991) A Heritage Handbook. (Allen & Unwin). 5.2. Elliot R. (1993) Environmental Ethics, in Singer, P (ed). A Companion to Ethics (Blackwell), pp. 284-293. 5.3. Singer P. (1993) Practical Ethics, 2nd edn (CUP). 5.4. Tribe A, Spielman D. (1996) Restraint and Handling of Captive Wildlife, ANZCCART News 9 (1) Insert. 5.5. Website: National centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research: http://www.nc3rs.org.uk
Appendix I Extracts from Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Section Extract 3.2.4 Wildlife must not be taken from their natural habitats or otherwise disturbed unless it is essential for the work proposed and no alternative source of animals or data is available 3.3.33 The wellbeing of wildlife must be supported and safeguarded by: (i) using methods, techniques and equipment that: (a) are appropriate for the species and the situation, and the purpose and aims of the project or activity (b) minimise the risk of transmission of disease, and direct and indirect disturbance to the habitat (ii) avoiding or minimising harm, including pain and distress: (a) to target and non-target species (b) to dependent young (c) from indirect effects arising from impact on the habitat and environment. 3.3.34 To minimise the risk of injury or stress-induced disease, procedures for the capture and handling of wildlife must include: (i) the involvement of a sufficient number of competent people to restrain animals in a quiet environment and prevent injury to animals and handlers (ii) chemical restraint (e.g. sedatives) where appropriate, if the period of handling is likely to cause harm, including pain and distress, to animals (iii) restraint and handling of animals for the minimum time needed to achieve the purpose and aims of the project or activity (iv) making provisions for captured animals that are ill or injured, including treatment of pain and distress. 3.3.35 If trapping is used to capture wildlife, the wellbeing of both target and non-target animals must be considered by: (i) selecting a trap that is suited to the species and the circumstances, and designed
to ensure protection of trapped animals from injury, predators, parasites and environmental extremes (ii) monitoring traps to minimise the time animals will spend in traps, and to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on trapped animals (iii) minimising the number of days of continuous trapping within an area, and removing or deactivating traps that are not in use or are no longer required (iv) minimising the potential adverse impact caused by disrupting social structure, and adverse impacts on dependent young (e.g. by avoiding trapping in the breeding season) (v) minimising the numbers of non-target species that are trapped, and implementing a management plan for captured non-target species to ensure their wellbeing or ensure that they are humanely killed. 3.3.36 Wet pitfall traps must not be used to capture vertebrate animals. If wet pitfall traps are used to capture invertebrates, they must be managed and monitored to minimise the inadvertent capture of vertebrates, including by locating the trap where vertebrate entry is unlikely and using the smallest possible trap diameter. 3.3.37 Transport of wildlife must be in accordance with Clauses 3.2.5 3.2.8. 3.2.5 Methods and arrangements for the transport of animals must support and safeguard the wellbeing of the animals before, during and after their transport, and take into account the health, temperament, age, sex and previous experiences of the animals; the number of animals travelling together and their social relationships; the period without food or water; the duration and mode of transport; environmental conditions (particularly extremes of temperature); and the care given during the journey. 3.2.6 Transport methods and arrangements must: (i) be appropriate for the species and the circumstances (ii) minimise harm, including pain and distress, arising from factors such as containment, movement, noise, disruption of social groups, and changes in the environment and personnel (iii) ensure that animals are: (a) provided with appropriate food and water when necessary (b) provided with the physical and social environment appropriate for the species
(c) protected from, and treated for, injury and disease. 3.2.7 Both suppliers and recipients of animals must ensure that satisfactory delivery procedures are in place, including receipt of the animals by a responsible person, accountability for animal numbers, and adherence to other regulatory codes, such as quarantine. 3.2.8 People responsible for monitoring animals during transport must be able to recognise and respond to animal needs during transport. 3.3.38 If animals are to be held in captivity, the duration must be minimised and consistent with the purpose and aims of the project or activity. If animals are to be released, all possible steps must be taken to avoid their becoming habituated to human activity. 3.3.39 Procedures for any release of wildlife must ensure that: (i) release occurs at the site of capture, unless otherwise approved by the AEC (see also Clauses 3.4.4 5) (ii) the timing of release coincides with the period of usual activity for the species, unless safety of the animals is assured by other means, such as release into appropriate cover (iii) animals are protected from injury and predation at the time of their release (iv) animals that have been sedated or anaesthetised have recovered to full consciousness before their release. During their recovery, animals should be held in an appropriate area where they can maintain normal body temperature and are protected from injury and predation (see Clause 3.3.12 [iii]). 3.3.40 When devices are used to track the movement of wildlife, the weight, design and positioning of attached devices must minimise interference with the normal survival requirements of the animal. 3.3.41 Interference activities such as call playback, spotlighting, tiling, rock turning, investigating a nest box and disturbing nest sites must be conducted in a manner that minimises any risk to the wellbeing of the wildlife. 3.3.42 Alternatives to collecting animals as voucher specimens (e.g. tissue samples, digital photography) must be considered, where appropriate. When animals are collected as voucher specimens: (i) the number taken must be the minimum required for identification or to establish distribution (ii) the specimens must be appropriately documented and lodged with an institution
that manages a publicly accessible reference collection. 3.3.43 The principles of the Code must be applied equally to animals that are considered to be pests. 3.3.44 Captive feral and pest species must be killed humanely unless the aims of a project require their release, or the study involves death as an endpoint. 3.4.4 The return of animals to normal husbandry conditions and the release of wildlife to their natural habitat must be in accordance with current best practice. 3.4.5 If release of wildlife animals is permitted, such release must comply with Clause 3.3.39.