Animal ethics and welfare resource library

These standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been approved for use by the CDU AEC in submissions to the AEC.

• A guide for the use of remote cameras for wildlife survey in northern Australia - GSOP 04.2021
• Addressing animal welfare in fauna surveys - GSOP 07.2023 (PDF, 337.32 KB)
• Protocols for surveying and tagging sawfishes and river sharks - RIEL SOP 04.2021 (PDF, 3.08 MB)
• Surgical implantation of telemetric transmitters into teleost fish - RIEL SOP 03.2021 (PDF, 1.1 MB).

• Humane killing of animals under field conditions - DPAW SOP 07.2022 (PDF, 938.16 KB)
• Marking of marine turtles using flipper and PIT tags - DPAW SOP 08.2021 (PDF, 887.26 KB)
• Tissue sample collection and storage for mammals - DPAW SOP 19.2021 (PDF, 1.05 MB)
• Hand capture of wildlife - DPAW SOP 21.2022 (PDF, 594.86 KB)
• Permanent marking of mammals using ear notching - DPAW SOP 22.2022 (PDF, 898.48 KB)
• Soft cage traps for capture of macropods - DPAW SOP 23.2022 (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Collection of blood from wildlife policy - GSOP 05.2022 (PDF, 794.61 KB)
• Collection of hair and feather samples - GSOP 06.2022 (PDF, 1022.08 KB)
• Euthanasia of research animals in the field - GSOP 07.2022 (PDF, 690.01 KB)
• Aluminium box traps for capture of terrestrial animals - DBCA 07.2023 (PDF, 866.08 KB)
• Animal handling and restraint using soft containment - DBCA 11.2022 (PDF, 863.16 KB)
• Cage traps for live capture of terrestrial vertebrates - DBCA 06.2022 (PDF, 754.18 KB)
• Cane toad euthanasia - GSOP 08.2022 (PDF, 357.27 KB)
• Permanent marking of vertebrates using microchips - DBCA 06.2022 (PDF, 839.64 KB)
• Dry pitfall trapping for vertebrates - DBCA 09.2022 (PDF, 574.51 KB)
• Ethical wildlife photography - DBCA 07.2024 (PDF, 540.4 KB)
• Euthanasia of small stranded cetaceans using firearms - DBCA 07.2024 (PDF, 1008.62 KB)
• First aid for animals - DBCA 07.2023 (PDF, 831.03 KB)
• Funnel trapping for terrestrial fauna - DBCA 11.2022 (PDF, 983.42 KB)
• Hand restraint of wildlife - DBCA 11.2022 (PDF, 1022.33 KB)
• Permanent marking of reptiles by scale marking - DBCA 09.2022 (PDF, 994.63 KB)
• Temporary marking of mammals, reptiles, and birds - DBCA 06.2023 (PDF, 811.8 KB)
• Transport and temporary holding of wildlife - DBCA 09.2022 (PDF, 869.69 KB)
• Turtle monitoring field guide - DBCA 06.2022 (PDF, 3.47 MB)
• TRaCK field manual - GSOP 07.2024 (PDF, 1.26 MB).

• Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (2013)
• Australian code for the responsible conduct of research (2018) (PDF, 235.76 KB)
• ANZCCART - Guidelines for euthanasia of animals (UNDER REVIEW, FOR GUIDANCE ONLY) (PDF, 1.76 MB)
• Australian code of electrofishing practice (PDF, 146.23 KB)
• Code of practice on the humane treatment of wild and farmed Australian crocodiles
• National code of practice for the humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies (PDF, 313.17 KB)
• Model codes of practice (COPs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the humane control of key pest animal species
• Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes - The assessment and alleviation of pain and distress in research animals
• A guide to the care and use of Australian native mammals in research and teaching (2015) (PDF, 1.57 MB)
• A guide for the use of remote cameras for wildlife survey in northern Australia
• Guidelines for turtle watching in the Northern Territory
• Guidelines for minimising disease risks associated with captive breeding, raising and restocking programs for Australian frogs
• Guidelines for banders - Australian bird and bat banding scheme
• Guidelines on welfare of fish and crustaceans in aquaculture and/or in live holding systems for human consumption - Aquatic animal welfare guidelines
• Best practice cattle and land management in Katherine and Top End region
• The Australian animal welfare standards and guidelines for cattle
• A guide to best practice husbandry in beef cattle - branding, castrating and dehorning 
• A national guide to describing and managing beef cattle in low body condition (MLA, 2013).
• Code of practice for the humane treatment of wild and farmed Australian crocodiles (PDF, 173.61 KB)
• Land transport of livestock; standards and guidelines (PDF, 1.13 MB)
• Livestock at saleyards and depots (PDF, 1.44 MB)
• Guidelines for the care and welfare of animals in retail pet shops (PDF, 104.28 KB)
• Guidelines for the care and welfare of caged birds (PDF, 69.81 KB)
• Model code of practice for the welfare of animals land transport of poultry (PDF, 299.13 KB)
• Model code of practice for the welfare of animals; feral livestock (PDF, 1.31 MB)
• Code of Conduct, Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association Inc.