Animals in schools

The development and administration of an assisted breeding program requires the input of a veterinarian or suitably qualified and experienced technician. Laparoscopic insemination of sheep must be performed by a veterinarian or person under the supervision of a veterinarian. A high success rate is generally only achieved by an experienced and qualified operator.

If the teacher wishes to allow students to watch a veterinarian demonstrate the collection of semen and/or laparoscopic artificial insemination to students, they do not need to seek approval from the SACEC. The SACEC considers the veterinarian is suitably qualified and experienced to demonstrate best practice.

The timing of joining or insemination should be managed to align with feed availability for the ewes and lambs, and to reduce the weather risks for lambs. Management practices should minimise the stress on ewes to reduce pregnancy toxaemia and other metabolic diseases. Lambing ewes should be placed in sheltered paddocks, with quality feed and should be monitored but with minimal disturbance.

Sheep and lambs are often predated upon by dogs and foxes. The risk of predation must be reduced by using appropriate strategies that may include:

• Fencing with upgraded security such as increased height, foot netting dug into the ground or electrification
• Using a guard animal, e.g. alpaca(s), to live with the ewes and lambs
• Shedding ewes and young lamb
• Carrying out a baiting program in conjunction with the Livestock, Health and Pest Authority (LHPA)
• Moving ewes and lambs to more secure locations.