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

Perform conservation guardianship 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252452  Perform conservation guardianship 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
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 2  NQF Level 02  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
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
8332  Perform conservation guardianship  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended for individuals dealing with the carrying out of conservation measures according to operational plans and requirements in order to protect the natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations and in doing so, providing a safe environment which enhances tourism and other activities in the nature conservation environment. Individuals involved in conservation guardianship will be able to carry out routine security patrols in order to deter, detect and combat illegal activities within an area of responsibility.

Individuals credited with this unit standard will be able to conduct the gathering of evidence, identify and report on illegal and legal movements in a specific area and will be able to conclude the gathering of evidence and arresting of individuals involved in illegal activities according to required processes and procedures to enable further action within the legal system.

Persons meeting the requirements of this unit standard will be able to:
  • Conduct patrols in order to collect and interpret information associated with conservation guardianship.
  • React appropriately within the law and according to established procedures, in order to counter any illegal activities.
  • Collect evidence in order to be able to prosecute a suspect and present evidence in a court of law.
  • Apply appropriate communication techniques during conservation guardianship operations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1.

    It is furthermore assumed that learners embarking on this unit standard are competent in:
  • Basic First Aid.
  • Weapon handling (SASETA 10750).
  • Orientate, navigate, use and create maps in conservation areas. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Conduct patrols in order to collect and interpret information associated with Conservation Guardianship. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Observation and listening posts are established in order to observe operational area(s) as it relates to patrolling and Conservation Guardianship requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Routine patrols are executed using appropriate formations to detect any illegal activity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Straight line, arrowhead, file, wedge, scorpion and single file.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information is gathered with regard to movement (illegal/legal) inside a conservation area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Routine patrols are executed to locate, follow and identify high profile/threatened species within the operational area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Illegal activities are detected through the identification and finding of evidence as it applies to conservation guardianship. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    React appropriately within the law and according to established procedures, in order to counter any illegal activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Suspects and witnesses are approached in a manner that ensures the safety of persons and the maintenance of full control of the situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A suspect is disarmed and his/her weapons are made safe. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Lawful arrests are carried out using minimum force. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Suspects are questioned using techniques that optimize useful information gathering. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Collect evidence in order to be able to prosecute a suspect and present evidence in court of law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The scene of a crime is secured according to standard operational procedures and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate collection techniques are utilised while preserving the chain of evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The extent of the offence and individual rights are explained to suspect/s as it applies to legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Assist with the preparation of a docket according to operational and legal requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Evidence is presented in court in a credible and consistent way. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply appropriate communication techniques during the operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A variety of techniques is utilized to ensure the maintaining of communication as it applies to patrol ling. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hand signals, radio procedures, cell phones and geographic references, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate report formats are used to present information to supervisors and other audiences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A verbal debrief is conducted with patrol members and other audiences as it applies to patrol and conservation guardianship operations. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements. Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Applicable national and provincial legislation (Criminal Procedures Act, Marine Living Resources Act, Seals and Seabirds Act, various Nature Conservation Acts and Ordinances, Bill of Rights etc.).
  • Reaction/response is in accordance with regulations and situational requirements.
  • Correlation of information in field reports with evidence on the ground.
  • Presentation and quality of evidence is of such a nature that it could lead to conviction.
  • Information communicated.
  • Standard operational procedures.
  • Modus operandi of persons conducting illegal activities.
  • Interacting with other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Operate in a group or team:
  • Successfully carrying out the duties associated with conservation guardianship requires that a conservation worker develop the ability to follow a team leader and to participate as a team member. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise, analyse and interpret information:
  • In order to perform conservation guardianship it is essential that the qualifying learner develops, to an advanced degree, the capacity to gather interpret and use information. In the event that actions have to be performed leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects, the capacity to use information competently is of critical importance. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication:
  • This unit standard promotes effective communication with management, and interaction with law enforcement agencies. Successful prosecution of offenders depends crucially on the ability of a conservation worker to present evidence in court. 
    		•

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 8332, "Perform conservation guardianship", Level 2, 8 credits.

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems, thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

    Supplementary Information:

    This work requires good physical and mental health.

    This unit standard assumes that map reading skills are in place. If not, the unit standard should be done concurrently with Unit Standard "Orientate, navigate, use and create maps in conservation areas". 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59389   National Certificate: Nature Conservation: Resource Guardianship  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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. EZEMVELO KWAZULU NATAL WILDLIFE 
    2. Kishugu Training (Pty) Ltd 


    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.