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Answer by ritasteffe on question Wildlife camera

Submitted by sat on 06 April 2016

Answer reviewed 24/01/2023

 

The Animal Welfare officer for NSW DET schools has indicated ‘that there are no implications under the animal welfare policies for this activity. Your school, however, will need to seek its own advice about the legal issue of using surveillance cameras in the school’. Contact should be made with the legal department in your specific jurisdiction.

The activity you describe involves the observation of animals in their natural environment and does not involve the capture or handling of any animal. Minimal disturbance might only be due to a flash, if used with the camera.

Consideration should be given to the location and position of the camera to avoid any privacy issues.

Additional information

The use of animals in all primary and secondary schools in the government and non-government sectors in NSW is governed by the Animal Research Act 1985 (NSW) and the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. All animals in NSW are also protected by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW).

The establishment of the Animals in schools website provides advice to all schools in all sectors in NSW. Here you will find information on the following aspects for your consideration.

References

Personal communication, TAS Advisor and Animal Welfare Officer. Learning and Teaching Directorate, NSW Department of Education, 4 April 2016

‘Animals in schools’, Animals in schools website, https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/animals-in-schools (Accessed Jan 2023)

‘Animal Research Act 1985 No 123’, NSW Government, NSW Legislation website, https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1985-123 (Accessed Jan 2023)

‘Animal Welfare in a DET Context’ NSW Department of Education and Communities website, https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2004-0029 (Accessed Jan 2023)

Meek, Paul; Ballard, Guy; Fleming, Peter. 2012. An introduction to camera trapping for wildlife surveys in Australia, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230851688_An_Introduction_to_Camera_Trapping_for_Wildlife_Surveys_in_Australia (Accessed Jan 2023)

National Health and Medical Research Council. 2013. Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, 8th edition. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council, NHMRC website, https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-code-care-and-use-animals-scientific-purposes (Accessed Jan 2023)

‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200’ NSW Government, NSW Legislation website, https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1979-200 (Accessed Jan 2023)