Assessment of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and anthelmintic efficacy in captive animals: A Study at Chattogram zoo, Bangladesh

Abstract

A coprological study was undertaken to assess prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infection and efficacy of anthelmintic in herbivore, primates and birds at Chattogram zoo, Bangladesh. Total 40 samples examined where the highest prevalence (100%) was found in birds (Emu and Turkey) prior to anthelmintic treatment. Nematodes (27.5%) were the most prevalent parasite with high infection in birds (100%) and carnivore (85.71%) where trematode (12.5%) were common in herbivore while cestode were completely absent in the studied animals. Anthelmintic treatment was done with triclabendazole (25%), levamisole (37.5%) and fenbendazole (37.5%) twice yearly. The prevalence was significantly decreased in those animals except wild beast (Connochaetes taurinus), samber deer (Rusa unicolor), and barking deer (Muntiacusmuntjak) after the treatment. Triclabendazole was administered in herbivore where llama (Lama glama) showed significant change than other animals. In carnivore, levamisole dramatically reduced GI parasite load while other animals were treated with fenbendazole which significantly reduced the GI parasite infection. Development of an appropriate and effective anthelmintic program for captive-wild animals to identify the optimal time of the year and frequency of anthelmintic other epizootiological parameters.