Investigation of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Wild Mammals at Safari Park in Gazipur

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the load and variety of gastro-intestinal parasites among free-living as well as captive wild mammals housed in Safari park of Gazipur. A total of 26 fecal samples were collected from wild mammals from August to September, 2017 and were analyzed by sedimentation and flotation methods. The number of eggs per gram of feces was determined by using the MC master Technique. In 76.66% of the cases the fecal samples were positive for parasite eggs, oocysts and/or cysts. Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Diphyllobothrium lattum, and Isospora spp oocyst were frequently identified in fecal samples of Lions and Tigers. In Blackbuck, Bleezbuck, and Wildebeest Stongyloides spp eggs were found. Strongylus spp, Trichostongylus spp eggs were found in Giraffe, Elephant, Horse, Kangaroo, and in Zebra. Apart from round worms’ eggs, mainly Fasciola spp and Paramphistomum spp were found in most herbivorous animals’ samples. This study provided evidence that despite the small number of samples, the diversity of parasites found was significant and noteworthy. Loads of nematodal and round worm infections were higher than cestodal and coccidial infections. Further comprehensive epidemiological investigation is necessary to better understand the exact parasitic load in free-living as well as associated risk factors of parasitism in wild animals in safari park environment.