NZQA Expiring unit standard
20788 version 2
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of mustelid biology and environmental
impact as a pest species
Level
3
Purpose
Credits
6
This unit standard is for people involved with pest control in
rural environments.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
knowledge of: mustelid introduction into New Zealand; mustelid
biology; bovine tuberculosis (Tb) and mustelid pests in New
Zealand; and the impact of mustelid pests on New Zealand
native ecosystems.
Classification
Pest Management > Pest Control
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the – Animal
Welfare Act 1999, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Resource
Management Act 1991, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Wild Animal
Control Act 1977, Conservation Act 1987, National Parks Act 1980, Reserves Act
1977, Wildlife Act 1953, Biosecurity Act 1993, and their subsequent amendments.
Reference
The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals, Edited by Carolyn M. King (Auckland:
Oxford University Press, 1995).
3
Definitions
mustelid pests – any feral or uncontrolled domestic, introduced mustelid species,
impacting negatively on native plant or any animal species, which includes but is not
limited to – ferrets, stoats, and weasels;
dispersal – the movement of an individual animal from its place of birth to the place
where it reproduces;
home range – the area within which an individual animal lives, feeds, and breeds;
interactions – any behaviour performed by an individual animal that elicits a
behavioural response from another animal;
rural environments – any land outside urban environments.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
20788 version 2
Page 2 of 4
Demonstrate knowledge of mustelid introduction into New Zealand.
Range
evidence is required for at least two mustelid pest species.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Mustelids are described in terms of their country of origin and year of
introduction into New Zealand.
1.2
Mustelids are described in terms of the reasons for their introduction into
New Zealand.
Range
may include but is not limited to – sport, novelty, economic,
prevailing attitudes towards native fauna.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of mustelid biology.
Range
evidence is required for at least one mustelid pest species.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Mustelids are described in terms of habitat, feeding behaviour, food
preferences, and diet range.
2.2
Mustelids are described in terms of activity and nesting patterns, dispersal,
home range, and movements.
Range
2.3
Mustelid social behaviour is described in terms of social structure, and
interaction patterns.
Range
2.4
movements – to seasonal food sources, in response to control
measures.
other members of the same species, members of a different
species.
Mustelids are described in terms of their physical appearance, reproductive
behaviour, and development.
Range
reproductive behaviour – season, pre-mating, mating, post-mating;
development – gestation, birth.
2.5
Mustelids are described in terms of their predators.
2.6
Mustelid behaviour is described in relation to the implications for mustelid
control.
Range
use and location of – toxins and baits, traps; dominant and
subordinate behaviour at baits and traps.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
20788 version 2
Page 3 of 4
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of bovine tuberculosis (Tb) and mustelid pests in New Zealand.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Bovine tuberculosis (Tb) is described in terms of its introduction to
New Zealand, its economic cost, and its affect on humans.
3.2
Tb is described in terms of the role of mustelid pests in transmission of Tb to
livestock.
3.3
Suspected sources of Tb in cattle other than mustelid pests are identified.
Range
evidence is required for at least two other animals.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of mustelid pests on New Zealand native
ecosystems.
Evidence requirements
4.1
The presence of mustelid pests in New Zealand native ecosystems is described
in terms of the visible signs of presence, and impact on ecosystem structure
and function.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Replacement information
This unit standard was replaced by unit standard 29335.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
26 July 2004
31 December 2018
Review
2
17 March 2016
31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0052
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
20788 version 2
Page 4 of 4
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016