Coprological prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in carnivores and small mammals at Dhaka zoo, Bangladesh

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M.M.R.U. Raja
A.R. Dey
N. Begum
U.K. Kundu
F.A. Ashad

Abstract

A study on the coprological prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites using 94 faecal samples from different carnivores (n=32) and small mammals (n=15) was undertaken from January to May 2012 at Dhaka Zoo. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 78.72%, with a prevalence of 51.06% for helminths and 27.66% for protozoa. The identified parasites included—Toxascaris leonina (9.57%), Balantidium coli (25.53%) Spirometra sp. (10.64%), Toxocara cati (12.76%), Hook worm (4.26%), unidentified strongyles (3.19%), Trichuris sp. (7.45%), Coccidia sp. (2.12%), Capillaria sp. (1.06%), Trichostrongylus sp. (1.06%), and Physaloptera sp. (1.06%). Mixed infection was observed in Indian Lion (Toxascaris leonina and Spirometra sp.), Royal Bengal Tiger (Balantidium coli and Toxocara cati), Spotted Hyena (Balantidium coli and hook worm), Leopard (Balantidium coli and Spirometra/I> sp.), Rhesus Macaque (Trichuris sp. and Coccidia sp.), Pig-tailed Macaque (Balantidium coli and Trichuris sp.), Hamadryas Baboon (Balantidium coli and Trichuris sp.), Golden Mangabey (Trichuris sp., Balantidium coli and unidentified strongyles), Large Indian Civet (Balantidium coli and unidentified strongyles), Torior Dog (Balantidium coli and Physaloptera), Rabbit (Balantidium coli and Hook worm), Hanuman Langur (Balantidium coli and Capillaria sp.). Due to the high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, the present study suggests to apply control measures against these parasites in order to safeguard the health of housed wild animals, especially in case of threatened species.

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Short Communications