Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection in Wild Herbivores at Chattogram zoological Park, Bangladesh

Abstract

A coprological study was undertaken to identify gastrointestinal parasites and their prevalence in wild herbivores animal housed at Chattogram zoological park. Among thirty-nine animals of six different herbivore species 20 fecal samples were collected randomly that cover all the species. After performing different standard qualitative parasitological investigation, it was found that about 70% of herbivore animals were infected with intestinal parasites of which 55% infected with helminthes and 15% infection were due to protozoa. The helminthes that was detected from different herbivore animals were of Paramphistoimum spp, Schistosoma spp, Strongylus spp, Fasciola spp, Trichonema spp. Only Balanditium spp identify as protozoa in sambar deer and zebra. Paramphistomum spp was most commonly observed parasite between various animals. Majority of the species infected with multiple parasites. Routine coprological screening may help to identify different parasite and selection of anthelmintic drugs which in turns assist the zoo management in the formulation and implementation of preventive and control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among animals within the zoo.