This fact sheet contains an actual emergency procedure provided by an animal researcher as an example. It accompanies the Animal Research Review Panel Policy Number 10: Emergency Procedures (www.animalethics.org.au).

You should also include in any emergency procedure:

• euthanasia methods and equipment including competency of personnel
• transport methods and equipment.

Emergency Procedures

In the unusual circumstance of an injury or sickness occurring to an animal during a fauna survey, the following procedures occur:

1. The animal is inspected to determine the extent of the injury or sickness.
2. If injured, temporary first-aid is applied, for instance, stopping blood-flow, binding a wound or broken limb. For superficial scratch wounds, antibiotic spray or powder is applied prior to release.
3. Sickness usually takes the form of cold stress during winter (this is alleviated during trapping by providing insulated material within any traps). An animal which appears to be suffering from cold-stress is placed in a warm holding container in a quiet area, and usually recovers.
4. Holding containers are always carried as part of the survey equipment, and comprise tins or wooden boxes measuring about 20 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm, with one side made from wire mesh.
5. If successful recovery does not appear to be occurring, or the injury requires further treatment, the animal will be transported in a holding container to the nearest veterinarian or to a representative of the local WIRES group.
6. The final aim of the procedure is to release the recovered animal back into the area where it was originally captured.
7. The name and phone number of the nearest veterinarian in the area where work is being conducted is carried while in the field, in case of such emergencies.

The above example was provided by Dr MJS Denny, with thanks.