Investigation of Parasitic Infections among Primates in Selected Zoological Gardens in Nigeria

Abstract

In nature, wild animals live on large area and have consequently, a low genetic resistance against parasitic infections because of hoe exposure. When herds of these wild animals are kept in captivity in Zoological Gardens, the problem of parasite infection can aggravate and pose a serious threat to endangered species, occasionally causing sudden and unexpected local declines in abundance; unfortunately, there have been few detailed and comprehensive studies on the common parasitic infections, prevalence of the parasitic infections in the primates and the Health care management of the captive primates. The focus of the research work is on investigation of parasitic infection among primates in selected Zoological Gardens in Nigeria the researcher has the following objectives, The researcher adopted experimental method sample of fresh feaces were collected differently for 5 days and was examined at two different laboratory, that Ibadan and Jos. The Ibadan Zoological Garden twenty seven species of primates were examined, with only six infested with Trichuris Trichuria parasite; common in chimpanzee, mona monkey, Tantalus and white throated. In Jos Plateau Zoological Garden, twenty-four species of primates were examined only thirteen primates were infested with Trichuris Trichuria, F buskii, Eimeria, Ascaris Lumbricoides, S. mansoni, Hetrophyes, Those infested, are Red patas, softy mongabey, Baboon, Mona Monkey, Tantalus, and Chimpanzee. Kano Zoological Garden, thirty species of primates were examined, only eleven were infested with Ascaris Lumbricoides, Eimeria, Trichuris Trichuria, Fasciola those infested are Baboon, Chimpanzee, Mona Monkey, Patas, Tantalus Monkeys. All the above examination of the faecal sample material, a direct wet smear was used to reveal the parasites; examined with a how power objective (10x).