Field Studies of Animals

PIs engaged in field studies of animals must also obtain NTU-IACUC approval prior to the commencement of such work. Please refer to the IACUC’s Application Procedure webpage for further details on submission requirements and process.

Guidelines for PIs of field study projects 

(from section III.4.17 of the NACLAR Guidelines)

1. Legislation protecting animal and wildlife populations include:

    The Animals and Birds Act (Cap. 7), the Wildlife Act (Cap. 351) and the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (Cap. 92A) (see Appendix I: Reference Materials: Legislations). Refer to II.6.2 and II.6.3 (of the NACLAR Guidelines). 
     

2. The PI must provide evidence to the IACUC that all necessary licenses and permits have been or will be obtained before the research begin.
     

3. The PI should address the following relevant items:
• species selection,
• site selection, and
• methodologies employed.
    
4.  Site Selection
• The selection of the study site for the research should maximise the opportunity for data collection and minimise the disruption caused by the research.
• The site selection should also take into consideration other activities in the area, such as agricultural use, tourism or land development, which may interfere with the research protocol.
• Permission to utilise the site may be necessary and the PI must be able to assure the IACUC that necessary permits or permissions have, or will be obtained, before the research begins.
    
5. Methods Employed
• The potential short- and long-term effects of procedures on individual animals should be evaluated.
  
• If animals are to be captured, the capture methods used and the numbers to be captured must be detailed in the protocol.
  • A description of measures taken to prevent injuries and alleviate potential distress, the possible impact of capture on subsequent behaviour and survival of the animals, and capture of non-target species must be described.
  • If animals are to be identified individually, the PI must indicate whether they will be identified by natural markings or will be artificially marked.
    
• If the animals are to be artificially marked, there must be a description of marking methods and potential trauma (e.g. paint markings may increase visibility to predators).
  
• If field experimental procedures are used, any potential pain or distress to an animal must be assessed and evaluated in the context of the potential value of the data to be obtained.
  
• Techniques for remotely recording behavioural or physiological data in the field are valuable and often minimally invasive.
  
• When possible, the least invasive procedures should be chosen (e.g. use of hormone assays of urine or faeces rather than blood samples).
  
• When it is necessary to take measurements or tissue samples from animals, the IACUC should evaluate the degree of invasiveness of the procedure and potential problems associated with return of the animal to the field. For example, animals should be released in a condition that enables them to avoid predators, seek shelter, and survive inclement weather.
  
• Any surgery must be done using aseptic techniques.
  
• The use and choice of anaesthesia will be affected by field conditions because some agents are difficult to transport or use in field conditions.
  
• Anaesthetics that do not clear from the system quickly may require holding the animal longer as they may compromise the animal’s ability to survive when released.
  
• The potential for human consumption of game species administered anaesthetics, antibiotics, other drugs or compounds must be considered.
  
• Procedures involving sites or environmental manipulation must be described and adequately justified by the PI.
     
6. Field study issues may be difficult to address definitively, but their consideration will help the IACUC judge the potential impact and value of the protocol proposed, and will assist the PI in obtaining maximum information from the study with minimum negative impact on the animals studied or their environment.