AWA - Part 3, Standards, Marine Mammals

Question 1

To whom should an application for a variance be made, and in what form (writing/phone call/email)?

Answer 1

The Deputy Administrator, in writing.

Question 2

The application should include the following information except:

a. The species and number of animals involved
b. Age and health status of the animals
c. Each provision of the regulation that has been met.
d. The time period requested for the variance
e. Specific reasons why a variance is requested.

Answer 2

c. Each provision of the regulation that has been met - the application should list each provision of the regulation that is not met.

Question 3

When would the Deputy Administrator require a report by two experts recommended by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums?

Answer 3

The report is required in cases when the Deputy Administrator determines that such expertise is necessary to determine whether the granting of a variance would cause a situation detrimental to the health and well-being of the marine mammals involved. The cost of such report is to be paid by the applicant.

Question 4

Indoor and outdoor housing facilities for marine mammals must be ____________ _____ and must be __________ __ ____ ______ to protect the animals from injury, to contain the animals within the facility, and to restrict the entrance of unwanted animals.

Answer 4

structurally sound; maintained in good repair.

Question 5

True or false: Written contingency plans must be submitted to and approved by the Deputy Administrator regarding emergency sources of water and electrical power in the event of a failure.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

True or false: Facilities that utilize natural water areas, such as tidal basins, for housing marine mammals, must comply with the drainage requirements.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

True or false: Drainage effluent must be disposed of in a manner that complies with all applicable Federal, State, and local pollution control laws.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Facilities for food storage must provide which of the following:

a. protection from deterioration
b. protection from spoilage
c. protection from vermin or other contaminants
d. refrigerators or freezers for perishable food
e. all of the above

Answer 8

e. all of the above

Question 9

True or false: Employee washroom facilities must be cleaned daily.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What characteristics should nonfood objects used for play have?

Answer 10

Sufficient size and strength to not be ingested, strong enough not to be easily broken, or likely to cause injury to marine mammals, and be able to be cleaned, sanitized, and/or replaced effectively.

Question 11

What are three factors to consider when housing animals indoors?

Answer 11

Ambient temperature
Ventilation
Lighting.

Question 12

Primary enclosures for marine mammal should have an average vertical air space of______.

Answer 12

A vertical air space averaging at least 1.83 meters (6 feet) shall be maintained in all primary enclosures housing marine mammals, including pools of water.

Question 13

Outdoor facilities have several factors that need to be considered when housing marine mammals. What are they?

Answer 13

Environmental temperatures
Shelter
A perimeter fence.

Question 14

What are the four factors used to determine the minimum space requirements for cetaceans?

Answer 14

Minimum horizontal dimension (MHD)
Depth
Volume
Surface area

Question 15

How many groups are cetaceans divided into for the purpose of space requirements?

Answer 15

Two groups

Question 16

What is the minimum horizontal dimension (MHD) of a pool for Group I or Group II cetaceans?

Answer 16

7.32 meters (24 feet) or two times the average adult length of the longest species of Group I or Group II cetaceans

Question 17

In a pool housing a mixture of Group I and Group II cetaceans, what is the MHD?

Answer 17

In a mixture of Group I and Group II cetaceans, the MHD shall be the largest required for any cetacean housed therein.

Question 18

True or false: The minimum volume of water required for up to two Group I or four Group II cetaceans is based upon the following formula: volume = (MHD/2)(MHD/2) x 3.14 x depth.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

True or false: The minimum surface area requirements for each cetacean housed in a pool, regardless of Group I or Group II classification are calculated as follows: surface area = (average adult body length/2)(average adult body length/2) x 3.14 x 1.5, or SA = (L/2)(L/2) x 3.14 x 1.5.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What is the required MHD of a primary enclosure pool for sirenians?

Answer 20

The required MHD of a primary enclosure pool for sirenians shall be two times the average length of the longest species of sirenian to be housed therein.

Question 21

What is the minimum depth requirement for sirenians?

Answer 21

The minimum depth requirements for primary enclosure pools for all sirenians shall be one-half the average adult length of the longest species to be housed therein, or 1.52 meters (5 feet), whichever is greater.

Question 22

Primary enclosures housing pinnipeds shall contain a pool of water and a _______ or ____________.

Answer 22

Dry resting or social activity area that must be close enough to the surface of the water to allow easy access for entering or leaving the pool.

Question 23

What is the minimum size of the dry resting or social activity area of the primary enclosure for pinnipeds (exclusive of the pool of water)?

Answer 23

The minimum size shall be based on the average length of each pinniped contained in the enclosure, see Sections (i) and (ii) on p. 113.

Question 24

What is the minimum surface area of a pool of water for pinnipeds?

Answer 24

The minimum surface area of a pool of water for pinnipeds shall be at least equal to the dry resting or social activity area required.

Question 25

Primary enclosures for housing polar bears include what?

Answer 25

A pool of water, a dry resting and social activity area, and a den

Question 26

What is the minimum amount of space required for the dry resting and social activity area for polar bears?

Answer 26

A minimum of 37.16 square meters (400 square feet) of dry resting and social activity area shall be provided for up to two polar bears, with an additional 3.72 square meters (40 sq feet) of dry resting and social activity area for each additional polar bear.

Question 27

The dry resting and social activity area shall also provide enough ______ to accommodate all of the polar bears housed in such primary enclosure at the same time.

Answer 27

shade

Question 28

What are the minimum MHD and the surface area for two polar bears?

Answer 28

MHD of not less than 2.44 meters (8.0 feet), surface area of at least 8.93 square meters (96.0 sq ft).

Question 29

What are the recommended dimensions of the den, and where should it be positioned?

Answer 29

The den shall be at least 1.83 meters (6 feet) in width and depth and not less than 1.52 meters (5 feet) in height. It will be positioned so that the viewing public shall not be visible from the interior of the den.

Question 30

A primary enclosure for sea otters should consist of _____ and _______.

Answer 30

A pool of water and a dry resting area

Question 31

What is the MHD of the pool of water for sea otters?

Answer 31

The MHD of the pool of water for sea otters shall be at least three times the average adult length of the sea otter contained therein.

Question 32

What is the minimum volume of water required for a primary enclosure pool for sea otters?

Answer 32

The minimum volume of water required for a primary enclosure pool for sea otters shall be based on the sea otter’s average adult length.

Question 33

What is the minimum dry resting area required for one or two sea otters?

Answer 33

The minimum dry resting area required for one or two sea otters shall be based on the sea otter’s average adult length.

Question 34

What types of factors need to be considered when preparing food for marine mammals?

Answer 34

The diet must be prepared with consideration for factors such as age, species, condition, and size of the marine mammal being fed.

Question 35

How often should marine mammals be fed?

Answer 35

Marine mammals should be fed at least once per day, except as directed by the attending veterinarian.

Question 36

How long do feeding records need to be maintained?

Answer 36

Marine mammal feeding records noting the estimated individual daily consumption must be maintained at the facility for a period of 1 year and must be made available for APHIS inspection.

Question 37

How long after food has been thawed can it be fed to marine mammals?

Answer 37

All foods must be fed within 24 hours following removal of such foods from the freezers for thawing, or if the food has been thawed in the refrigerator.

Question 38

What is the bacterial count standard for primary enclosures?

Answer 38

The coliforms bacteria count of the primary enclosure pool shall not exceed 1000 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml of water.

Question 39

How often should the water be tested for coliforms, pH, and any chemical additives?

Answer 39

The water should be tested weekly for coliforms count and at least daily for pH and any chemical additives.

Question 40

If a facility uses natural seawater, which test(s) is(are) required for maintaining water quality?

Answer 40

Facilities using natural seawater shall be exempt from pH and chemical testing unless chemicals are added to maintain water quality. They are required to test for coliforms.

Question 41

What is the range for salinity when required?

Answer 41

For marine mammals that require salinized water, the salinity shall be maintained within a range of 15-36 parts per thousand.

Question 42

How often should the primary enclosure be cleaned?

Answer 42

The primary enclosure should be cleaned at least once daily, and more often when necessary, in order to provide a clean environment and minimize health and disease hazards.

Question 43

How often should the wall and bottom surfaces of the primary enclosure pools of water be cleaned?

Answer 43

The wall and bottom surfaces of the primary enclosure pools of water should be cleaned as often as necessary to maintain proper water quality.

Question 44

How often should equipment, utensils, kitchens, and other food handling areas be cleaned and sanitized?

Answer 44

Equipment and utensils used in food preparation must be cleaned and sanitized after each use. Kitchens and other food handling areas where animal food is prepared must be cleaned at least once daily and sanitized at least once every week.

Question 45

Does the facility need to document participation in and successful completion of a facility training course, and what should a training course include?

Answer 45

Yes, this training course will include, but is not limited to species appropriate husbandry techniques, animal handling techniques, and information on proper reporting protocols, such as recordkeeping and notification of veterinary staff for medical concerns.

Question 46

True of false: If possible marine mammals should be housed with at least one compatible animal of the same or biologically related species.

Answer 46

True. Marine mammals, whenever known to be primarily social in the wild, must be housed in their primary enclosure with at least one compatible animal of the same or biologically related species, except when the attending veterinarian, in consultation with the husbandry/training staff, determines that such housing is not in the best interest of the marine mammal’s health or well-being.

Question 47

True or false: Newly acquired marine mammals do not need to be isolated from resident marine mammals.

Answer 47

False, newly acquired marine mammals must be isolated from resident marine mammals.

Question 48

Medical records must include what types of information?

Answer 48

Animal identification/name, a physical description, including any identifying markings, scars, etc., age, sex, and physical exam information, including but not limited to length, weight, PE results by body system, identification of all medical and physical problems with proposed plan of action, all diagnostic test results, and documentation of treatment.

Question 49

How often should marine mammals be visually or physically examined by the attending veterinarian?

Answer 49

Marine mammals should be visually examined at least semiannually, and must be physically examined under the supervision of and when determined to be necessary by the attending veterinarian.

Question 50

True of false: A complete necropsy must be completed on all marine mammals that die in captivity.

Answer 50

True - the necropsy records must be kept at the facility for 3 years and be available to APHIS upon request

Question 51

The primary enclosure for Swim-with-the-dolphin (SWTD) cetaceans shall contains three areas. What are they?

Answer 51

An interactive area, a buffer area, and a sanctuary area.

Question 52

What is the maximum amount of daily interaction time for each cetacean in a SWTD program?

Answer 52

The interaction time (i.e., designated interactive swim sessions) for each cetacean shall not exceed 2 hours per day.

Question 53

What is the recommended ratio of human participants to cetaceans? For human participants to attendants or other authorized SWTD personnel?

Answer 53

3:1 for both situations

Question 54

How often should the attending veterinarian observe an interactive swim session at the SWTD site?

Answer 54

Once each month.

Question 55

In regards to shipping/transporting marine mammals, the attending veterinarian must sign a health certificate stating that the animal was examined within the prior _____ days and found to be acceptable for transport.

Answer 55

10 days

Question 56

Primary enclosures used to transport marine mammals must meet certain requirements. List two.

Answer 56

Primary enclosures used to transport marine mammals. Requirements include: Primary enclosures must be constructed from materials of sufficient strength to contain the marine mammals; be constructed from material that is durable, nontoxic, and cannot be chewed and/or swallowed; etc…..

Question 57

How often should food and water be offered during transport?

Answer 57

Food must be offered as often as necessary and appropriate for the species involved or as determined by the attending veterinarian. Marine mammals that require drinking water must be offered potable water within 4 hours of being placed in the primary transport enclosure, and then provided water as often as necessary and appropriate for the species involved to prevent dehydration.

Question 58

True or false: A licensed veterinarian must accompany marine mammals during periods of transport?

Answer 58

False. A licensed veterinarian, employee, and/or attendant of the shipper or receiver of any marine mammal being transported, in commerce, knowledgeable and experienced in the area of marine mammal care and transport, must accompany all marine mammals during periods of transport to provide for their good health and well-being, to observe such marine mammals to determine whether they need veterinary care, and to obtain any needed veterinary care as soon as possible.

Question 59

What is the temperature range for transporting/animal holding areas/terminal facilities for marine mammals?

Answer 59

Temperature within the range of 7.2°C (45°F) to 23.9°C (75°F).