Studies on Parasitic Infestation in Some Wild Animals

Abstract

The faecal samples of various species of wild and zoo. animals- belong to subclass Ungulates kept in captivity in Giza zoo were examined in a period from March 2003 to March 2004 for the presence 'of gastrointestinal parasites. The prevalences of infection by enteric parasites have been studied, It was found that the highest prevalence of infection was recorded in Family Bovidae 38.27%, as well- as Giraffidae 38.57%, followed by Camelidae 35.9%, while it reached to 15.35% in Equidae and 4.67% in Cervidae. No parasitic infection were diagnosed in examined animals belong to families Suidae, Hippopotamidae, Rhinocerotidae or proboscidae. Eight different GIN species were diagnosed include Trichostrongylus spp., Ostertagia spp., Haemonchus spp., Nematidirus spp., Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., Strongylus spp. and Parascaris equorum. As· well as different Coccidian spp. O0cysts. No Fluke infection could be recorded. This infection was associated with no apparent symptoms, slight diarrhea, or profuse diarrhea specially in young animals. No seasonal variations could be recorded during the study, this may be related to the maintenance of that animals in captivity under regular administration of protective and treatment doses of anthelmintics and antiprotozoal agents.