Endoparasites of Mammals From Wildlife Hospitals in Greece: First Results

Abstract

Parasites are often proven major health problem for wildlife. The aim of this study was the investigation of the endoparasites of wild animals sheltered in wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Greece. Faecal samples or gastrointestinal tracts from different mammals were examined by standard parasitological methods (flotation, sedimentation, Ziehl-Neelsen and identification of helminthes). Until now, 30 animals of eleven species were examined. The parasites found were in golden jackal Toxocara canis, Eucoleus aerophilus and Uncinaria stenocephala, in red fox T. canis, E. aerophilus, U. stenocephala, Trichuris vulpis, Brachylaima spp., Prosthorynchus spp. and Mesocestoides lineatus, in roe deer Dicrocoelium dendriticum, in fallow deer Eimeria spp. and Capillaridae, in European and southern white-breasted hedgehogs Eimeria spp., Capillaridae, Crenosoma spp., Physaloptera spp. and Prosthorynchus spp., in European brown hare Trichostrongylus spp., D. dendriticum and Linguatula serrata, in greater noctule bat Capillaridae, Strongylida and Trematoda, while in red squirrel, European badger and European mink no parasites were found. Systematic study of wildlife’s parasites is important in order to enrich the knowledge of wild animals’ parasites, assess their health status, evaluate the impact of their parasites on other wild or domestic animals and Public Health and choose the suitable treatment, especially in case of animals being sheltered in wildlife hospitals.