Intestinal parasitic infection in wild animals of a zoological garden in Alborz, Iran

Vahid Nasi̇ri̇,Farnoosh Jamei̇e

doi:10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.575285

Vahid Nasi̇ri̇, Farnoosh Jamei̇e

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.575285

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Abstract

Here we studied the intestinal parasites in animals at a zoological garden in Alborz, Iran. A total of 83 fecal samples from various captive wild animals, consisting of 21 different species were collected randomly and analyzed for the presence of the different stages of parasites by direct smear preparation and zinc sulfate flotation followed by Ziel-Neelsen staining method. The examined animals in this study consist of 7 species of carnivores (26 samples), 10 species of herbivores (46 samples), and 4 species of different groups of birds (11 samples). Examination of fecal samples revealed that 22 (26.50%) of animals, that belonging to 7 animal species, were infected with different intestinal parasites. Among gastrointestinal parasites positive captive wild animals 18 samples (21.68 %) belong to herbivores and 4 samples (4.81 %) to Aves. Among captive wild animals the prevalence of parasites was higher in herbivores (21.68%) followed by Aves (4.81). Results indicated that out of 22 animal samples that parasites were encountered, 14 (16.86%) were infected with helminths (Trichuris spp., Nematodirus spp., Ascaridia galli and some unknown Nematodes eggs) and 8 (9.63%) were infected with protozoa (Oocysts of Eimeria sp.). In the conclusion, it could be resulted that there is a need of control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among animals within the zoo.

Highlights

Zoos are places where a great number of valuable animal species are put together taken out of their natural habitats (Panayotova-Pencheva, 2013) and these Zoological collections are represented with exotic animal species which would never or rarely meet certain parasites amongst natural circumstances
Data showed Equus hemionus Asiatic wild ass that the examined animals were consist of 7 species of onager carnivores (26 samples), 10 species of herbivores
Wild animal species in a national park of Alborz province were investigated for pay attention that among husbandry procedures and diseases preventive measures, the routine monitoring of parasitic diseases and the use of selective treatments can represent crucial measures for the control of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in zoological gardens

Summary

Introduction

Zoos are places where a great number of valuable animal species are put together taken out of their natural habitats (Panayotova-Pencheva, 2013) and these Zoological collections are represented with exotic animal species which would never or rarely meet certain parasites amongst natural circumstances. Due to the specific nature of zoological collection, is one of the pillars of preventive health care of zoo animals (Kvapil et al, 2017). Nasiri and Jameie, 2019/ Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences. Volume 3, Issue 2, pp: 37-42 applies to wild animals in captivity, which are normally kept in the same enclosure for prolonged periods of time, with space limitations and under constant stress, leading to immunosuppression and consequent higher susceptibility to parasitic infection (Mir et al., 2016)

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