RSPCA Qld Comments on the A guide to the use of Australian native mammals in
biomedical research
1. Aims of document The title suggests that this document focuses on biomedical
research, however the aims of the document as outlined on page 3 uses the term
‘scientific research’. RSPCA Qld believes the broadest interpretation, including for
educational purposes, is most appropriate as native mammals are used in research and
teaching other than biomedical and that appropriate care should be ensured in all
research and teaching.
2. Aims of research The document introduces previous research using native mammals
and highlights advances that have been made. Many RSPCA Qld staff members serve
on Animal Ethics Committees and struggle with what types of research using native
animals should be allowed, given the stress they often suffer in captivity. General
guidelines about what could be considered appropriate research or teaching would be
most helpful. We realise this is difficult but have questioned, for example, the need to
collect several whole animal voucher specimens for sub-species identification,
display and archiving.
3. General considerations It appears that there are some general statements/principles
that appear in many of the specific sections. It would be useful to have a section
before the specific ones where these general principles are elucidated. This could
significantly reduce the size of the document and make it more user-friendly. One
such one is considering mating seasons and time of year when planning a trapping
program. Also, for some species considering the effect on dependent young is
important. General principles of setting and using pitfall and Elliot traps could also be
in one place and not repeated in every section (for example, not to use honey as a
bait). The problem of recapturing the same animals is another example. There are
many more.
4. Darting This technique could be covered in a general section and the principles
discussed. For example, how essential training is and only stationary animals should
be darted.
5. Alfaxan Alfaxan is mentioned as an alternative to Zoletil in many places in the
document. In many circumstances it is superior to Zoletil. Perhaps a discussion of all
drugs could appear in a general section. Appropriate pain control is another important
topic, including guidelines about when opioids or anti-inflammatory drugs should be
administered. RSPCA Qld believes that there is a general lack of understanding or
appreciation of how to judge pain in native species and therefore what is appropriate
pain relief.
6. Nocturnal animals Many Australian native species are nocturnal and this is
mentioned in several places in the document. It should be stressed that such animals
need to be released before or shortly after dawn (if they are not being captured and
transported). If several traps have been set and the purpose is to take measurements or
samples and release the animals, then the procedures must be started early enough so
all animals can be processed and released in a timely manner before the day is too far
advanced.
7. Tracking devices General information on tracking devices could be given such as the
maximum weight of a tracking collar as a percentage of body weight.
RSPCA QLD comments
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8. Dasyuridae
a. Timing of capture Wherever possible dasyurides should not be captured
during the breeding season. Spending hours in a trap while carrying several
young adds significant stress to the animal. Also, during the breeding season,
males can be in a frenzy and being trapped together can be extremely
stressful. The issue of timing is raised with bandicoots but should be
considered for all species (see above).
b. Flooding of traps Traps can become flooded particularly in tropical areas of
Australia. We recommend that bark or sticks be placed in the traps which will
float and provide safe area if the trap does become flooded. Holes in the
bottom of the trap may allow water to enter from the base. (Again this could
be covered in a general section as mentioned above.)
9. Koala
a. Capture with nooses RSPCA Qld believes noosing to capture koalas is never
acceptable. Our veterinarians have carried out post mortems which have
clearly demonstrated the damage to koalas’ necks from this type of capture
technique.
b. Transporting young It is usually inappropriate to separate the young and their
mothers during initial transportation. If surgery of some kind is carried out on
the koala then separation following this may be necessary.
10. Macropods
a. Research with medium size and large macropods The risk to these animals
through capture and handling is intense and this needs to be stressed so that
Animal Ethics Committees will be aware of this while making decisions about
research involving these animals. All methods of capture are risky.
b. Young at foot None of the methods discussed mentions the possibility that a
female macropod may have a young at foot and capture may result in the
young being deserted. This is never acceptable, particularly for research
purposes.
c. Capture techniques RSPCA Qld has grave concerns about some of the
catching techniques described. For example, we believe that the netting of a
moving animal from a moving vehicle with a net on a pole has the potential to
cause injury to the animal. Also, netting at a water trough will lead to intense
stress in the kangaroo as it struggles and this would be worse in hot weather.
11. Dingoes
a. Heat stress Dingoes are subject to heat stress during capture and restraint and
this along with duration of restraint must be considered when deciding
whether to use sedation. Dingoes need to lose heat through panting and
prolonged muzzling is contraindicated.
b. Trapping Cage trapping can be used. Dingoes should be left in leg-hold traps
for a minimum period of time and the traps should be set in shaded areas.
RSPCA QLD comments
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