Microchipping

Microchipping-Animals - An Overview

Microchipping-animals is one of the main methods used to permanently identify animals held in a domestic, captive or wild environment. This method of identification is extremely useful for organizations such as zoos, wildlife parks, animal rehabilitation centres, veterinary clinics or any individual keeping animals.

When microchipping-animals CBSG strongly recommends the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Resolution 8.13 (Rev) adopted in 1992 in regards to transponder systems & their methods.

For Mammals, reptiles & birds the most permanent method of identification is by injecting a microchip; subcutaneously, intramuscularly, lymphatic or into the coelomic cavity.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON MICROCHIPPING SNAKES

International Species Information System (ISIS) has implant site guidelines for Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians & fish. The location of implant transponders in each group is standardized in accordance with the IUCN, Species Survival Commission (SCC’s) Captive Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG). Details of these standards was drafted by the CBSG in 1990 & amended in 2000.

For microchipping-animals there are a variety of microchips & scanners available. Aim for a microchipping system that is;

• International Standards Organization (ISO) approved

• Recognized by Cites.

• Globally recognized.

Microchips are a permanent, non-programmable, unalterable system that creates a unique code for every animal. The chip cannot be tampered with which reduces the risk of fraudulent activities. This is especially useful when animals are listed as threatened or endangered and there are concerns with illegal trade of these species. For more information on species conservation status go to; The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Transponder systems help to provide accurate tracking & identification of individuals whether they be captive born or from a wild environment especially if they have been stolen or lost.

Some of the Transponder systems available include;

• Trovan

• Virbac

Cites recommends that the micro-chipping history of the animal be stored at a central database such as ISIS for wildlife species. The database should store information including the transponder number, implantation site, microchip manufacturer data & an individual animal identification.

For domestic species within Australia there are two regulatory agencies for storing transponder information;

Central Animal Records Aust. Pty. Ltd.

Australasian Animal Registry (AAR)