Intestinal parasites in captive wild animals at four zoological gardens in Northeast China

Abstract

Objective: In order to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in captive wild animals in four zoological gardens in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China. Method: From September 2016 to September 2020, fecal samples were collected from Harbin North Forest Zoo, Jiamusi Water Source Mountain Park, Qiqihar Longsha Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and Jixi City Zoo. The morphological identification of eggs or oocysts was carried out using the water washing precipitation method, saturated saline floatation method, and saturated sucrose floatation method. Results: The overall parasite positive detection rate in the four zoos were 18.33% (33/180), 21.69%(18/83), 22.22%(8/36), and 26.32%(10/38), respectively. The most prevalent parasitic species of Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Primates, and Aves were Ascaridoidea, Trichuris spp., and Contracaecum sp. Zoonotic parasites were also observed (Toxocara cati, Spirometra mansoni, Trichostrongylus sp.). Conclusions: The results are beneficial in assisting zoo management to formulate and implement preventive and control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among the animals or to humans.