Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee - Aluminium Box Traps for Capture of Terrestrial Vertebrates (WADBCA) - Standard Operating Procedure

Sep 15, 2026

Standard Operating Procedure SC24-02 defines approved practices for capture of terrestrial vertebrates using aluminium box traps (WADBCA) under animal ethics oversight in Western Australia. The SOP outlines responsibilities for animal welfare and personnel obligations aligned with the Australian code. It specifies operational and welfare considerations, required trap checking timing, and mitigation expectations for risks such as ant confinement and region-specific hazards including crocodiles, with required project-application amendments when modifications are needed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

1 Acknowledgements

2 Purpose

3 Scope

4 Animal Welfare Considerations

5 Approved Trap Types

6 Procedure Outline

6.1 Setting and positioning traps

6.2 Baiting traps

Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee Standard Operating Procedure: Aluminium Box Traps for Capture of Terrestrial Vertebrates (WADBCA) | Version No: | 1.4 | | --- | --- | | Date of Approval by the CDU AEC: | 18/ 10/2024 | | Date for Review by the CDU AEC: | 16/10/2027 | Please note: this SOP has been developed for animal use in WA. Consideration should betaken to the specific conditions of the region in which your work is being conducted, and modifications to procedures made accordingly to ensure the best welfare of the animal and safety of the project participants. Any modifications required should be outlined in the project application. Consideration should particularly be given to the weather conditions of the Northern Territory and the presence of extreme hazards such as crocodiles. The CDU AEC approves the following SOP with the below amendments/conditions: • Traps are to be checked within 2 hours of sunrise (not 3 hours as referenced in the SOP) . • Ants can be particularly problematic for animal welfare when confined in traps. Outline your mitigations for ant attack in your project application. Standard Operating Procedure SC24-02 ALUMINIUM BOX TRAPS FOR CAPTURE OF TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES Animal welfare is the responsibility of all personnel involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Personnel involved in an Animal Ethics Committee approved project should read and understand their obligations under the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Version 1.4 Last reviewed: August 2024 Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 [www.dbca.wa.gov.au](www.dbca.wa.gov.au) © Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on behalf of the State of Western Australia 2024 August 2024 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 , all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. This document was prepared by Species and Communities Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Questions regarding the use of this material should be directed to: Species and Communities Program Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Email: [animalethics@dbca.wa.gov.au](animalethics@dbca.wa.gov.au) The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 2024 , Standard Operating Procedure SC24-02: Aluminium Box Traps for Capture of Terrestrial Vertebrates , Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia. Disclaimer The State of Western Australia and its employees do not guarantee that this publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Please note: urls in this document which conclude a sentence are followed by a full point. If copying the url please do not include the full point. Revision History Log | Version Date Details Author/Reviewer
Approved By
Approval | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1.0 | 29/10/2009 | Document created | V. Richter and C. Groom | P. Mawson
P. Orell
K. Morris | August 2009 | | 1.1 | 23/04/2013 | Revision with minor changes | R. Bloomfield | M. Page | July 2015 | |

FAQs

What is the scope of the SOP SC24-02?

The SOP covers approved use of aluminium box traps (WADBCA) for capture of terrestrial vertebrates within animal-ethics-approved scientific purposes in Western Australia.

Who is responsible for animal welfare under this SOP?

Animal welfare is the responsibility of all personnel involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

What amendments are required for trap checking and ant-related welfare risks?

Traps must be checked within 2 hours of sunrise, and project applications must outline mitigations for ant attack when ants are problematic in confined traps.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Evangeline