Superb Parrot - Nswfmpa.org

Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond7 Handling and Transport7.1 Timing of Capture and HandlingThe capture and handling of birds within an enclosure should be generally planned andconducted as the first operation in the morning. This enables the whole proceedings to becompleted before public entry. To assist in reducing the stress on a bird to be capturedand handled the most appropriate time to catch a bird is in the cool of the morning,preferably by 10-00am but no later than 11-00am. No capture should take place if thetemperature is over 23-25°C, however, the capture and handling of a bird may berequired if a bird is observed to be injured or is in some form of distress requiringveterinary treatment and needs to taken out of an enclosure immediately. (Taronga Zoo –Bird Dept. Staff, 2004 pers. communication 9 Nov)7.2 Catching BagsOnce a quick examination of the captured bird has been completed, the bird should beplaced in an appropriately size carrying bag and immobilised. The carrying bag should bemade from a dark coloured soft durable material. Care should be taken not to restrict thebird’s breathing by wrapping too tightly, and the bird’s head should be covered to reducevisual stimulation. Carrying bags generally help to restrict movement and vision andprovide a darkened, secure environment where most birds tend to settle into quite well.Once immobilised and in a dark environment P. swainsonii is less susceptible to stress.(Gibson, J. 2004 pers. communication 9 Nov) (Taronga Zoo – Bird Dept. Staff, 2004pers. communication 9 Nov)7.3 Capture and Restraint TechniquesThe capture of P. swainsonii in an enclosure is effectively completed using a lightdurable soft cloth butterfly type catching net (pocket), which has a padded wire rimattached to a long handle. The size of the net should correspond to the size of the bird tobe netted. Nets with extendable handles may be required for high enclosures. In largerenclosures, such as mixed or free flight exhibits, caged feeding stations can be utilised forcapture operations. More planning is required for birds to be captured in caged feedingstations, as food reduction prior to the catching operation may be required to entice birdsinto the caged area.The capture of a bird can be extremely stressful and traumatic to both the birds and staffinvolved. Therefore speed and precision during the operation is essential. The aim of theoperation is first and foremost to minimise stress and the risk of injury to the bird, and tominimise the risk of injury to staff. Prolonged pursuits should be avoided, as this may bedetrimental to the health of the bird to be captured.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 46