Endoparasites of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) in protected areas of Slovakia

Abstract

Although the grey wolf was on the brink of extinction in Central Europe in the last century, it never became extinct in Slovakia and nowadays its population is considered stable. The wolf population in Slovakia is estimated to be around 400 individuals with seasonal variations, and due to these small numbers, studies on the parasite fauna of wolf are scarce. Of the 35 parasitic species recorded worldwide in grey wolves in temperate and mountain zones of the Palearctic region, 15 were detected in Slovakia. In our study, 256 grey wolf faeces samples taken from three protected areas in Slovakia were examined using the modified flotation method with a zinc sulphate solution. In total,169 samples (66%) displayed propagative stages belonging to ten parasitic taxa (Isospora spp., Alaria alata, Taenia spp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostomatidae, Trichuridae, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Spirocerca lupi, Angiostrongylus vasorum). The Trichuridae was the most prevalent group, with a prevalence of 17.7–60.3%. The parasitic species Isospora spp. (3.5%) and A. vasorum (0.8%) are reported for the first time in wolves in Slovakia. Considering the zoonotic potential of some parasites, and the increasing co-existence of human and wildlife in protected areas, the present study provides important findings for further epidemiology research in the grey wolf population.