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

Identify and monitor local wildlife 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252462  Identify and monitor local wildlife 
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  8 
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
8345  Identify and monitor local wildlife  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at individuals involved in the accurate gathering and reporting on local and keystone wildlife species in a Nature Conservation environment. The standard enables the relevant knowledge and skills required to identify and monitor wildlife for purposes of effective wildlife population management.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain the purpose and state the principles of wildlife monitoring.
  • Identify local plants and animal species including their sign, spoor and habitat.
  • Count the local plants and animals.
  • Determine the locality of animals, plants and abiotic elements.
  • Record information on species observed. 
    		•

    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 familiar with:
  • Orientate, navigate, use and create maps in conservation areas. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the purpose and state the principles of wildlife monitoring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A clear and concise explanation is given on the purpose of wildlife identification and monitoring activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate methods of wildlife monitoring in the area of operation is listed and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify local plants and animal species including their sign, spoor and habitat. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key local species in the operational area are identified by their common names. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Spoor of key species is recognised to ensure accurate monitoring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Simple keys are used to identify species. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Habitats used by wildlife are identified and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Count the local plants and animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An accurate count is made of key plant and animal species as it relates to the area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of the data gathering methods used for the counting of local plants and animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An accurate report is drafted and presented on the results obtained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Determine the locality of animals, plants and abiotic elements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A simple map is used to locate and record the location of animals and plants as per identified needs and organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A report is prepared to describe relevant abiotic factors. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Record information on species observed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant information about local species is measured or recorded to promote effective wildlife monitoring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A report that summarises the data collected is prepared and presented according to organisational requirements. 


    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 
  • Identifying local faunal and floral key species by form, sight, sign and call.
  • Understand habitat types of key species.
  • Sexing and ageing local species.
  • Determining local animal condition.
  • Characteristics of relevant species.
  • Species behaviour patterns.
  • Monitoring objective(s) and methods.
  • Data integrity and quality.
  • Legibility of data.
  • Reporting and recording systems required.
  • Purpose of reporting.
  • Locality identification methods (palmtops, GPS/Grid references).
  • Map reading.
  • Binocular/telescope usage. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork:
  • Local wildlife has to be monitored and identified in the field. This requires the learner to function as an effective team member, cooperating with supervisors and other colleagues. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and self-management:
  • Monitoring and identification activities demand of a learner that he or she is well organised and methodical. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation:
  • The collection and interpretation of information that is useful for population management is central to the work required by this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication:
  • Reports on counts and observations of plants and animals must be recorded, compiled and presented. These must be accurate, readable, well presented, logical and useful for the purposes of population management. 
    		•

    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 qualification replaces qualification 8345, "Identify and monitor local wildlife", Level 2, 8 credits.

    Supplementary Information:

    Species are correctly identified, located and recorded:
  • All relevant plants and animals observed are counted and specified accurately using appropriate methods.
  • Consistent and accurate data determination.
  • Appropriate method understood.

    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 utilization 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. 
    		•

    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. SA COLLEGE FOR TOURISM 


    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.