20790
27-Aug-13
1 of 5
PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
level:
3
credit:
6
planned review date:
July 2006
sub-field:
Pest Management
purpose:
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: rabbit introduction and
distribution in New Zealand; rabbit biology; and the impact of
rabbits on primary production and native ecosystems.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed moderation system has
been set up by the Primary Industry Training Organisation.
special 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.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20790
27-Aug-13
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
2
Reference
The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals, Edited by
Carolyn M. King (Auckland: Oxford University Press,
1995).
3
Definitions
rabbit pests – any feral, or uncontrolled domestic,
introduced rabbit species impacting negatively on
native plant or animal species;
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit introduction and distribution in New Zealand.
performance criteria
1.1
The rabbit pest is described in terms of its country of origin and year of
introduction into New Zealand.
1.2
The rabbit pest is described in terms of the reasons for its introduction into
New Zealand.
Range:
may include but is not limited to – sport, novelty, economic,
prevailing attitudes towards native fauna.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20790
27-Aug-13
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
1.3
The rabbit is described in terms of its current distribution and density throughout
New Zealand, and the reasons for changes in distribution and density.
Range:
may include but is not limited to – soil type, rainfall pattern, land
use, introduced viruses.
element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit biology.
performance criteria
2.1
The rabbit is described in terms of habitat, feeding behaviour, food preferences,
and diet range.
2.2
The rabbit is described in terms of activity and nesting patterns, dispersal, home
range and movements.
Range:
2.3
Rabbit behaviour is described in terms of social structure, and interaction
patterns.
Range:
2.4
reproductive behaviour – season, pre-mating, mating, post-mating;
development – gestation, birth.
The rabbit is described in terms of communication patterns.
Range:
2.6
other members of the same species, members of a different
species.
The rabbit is described in terms of physical appearance, reproductive
behaviour, and development.
Range:
2.5
movements – to seasonal food sources, in response to control
measures, breeding season.
visual, smell, auditory.
Predators of rabbits are identified.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20790
27-Aug-13
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
2.7
Rabbit behaviour is described in relation to the implications for rabbit control.
Range:
use and location of – toxins and baits, traps.
element 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of rabbits on primary production and native
ecosystems.
performance criteria
3.1
The presence of rabbit pests in primary production is described in terms of the
type and extent of damage, and the economic and social impact of rabbits on
production.
Range:
3.2
pastoral farming, horticulture, forestry.
The presence of rabbit pests in New Zealand native ecosystems is described in
terms of the visible signs of presence, and impact on ecosystem structure and
function.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20790
27-Aug-13
5 of 5
PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of rabbit
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0052 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016