PARASITE FAUNA OF WOOD BISON (BISON BISON ATHABASCAE RHOADS, 1897) LIVING IN THE UST’-BUОTОMА NURSERY, LENA PILLARS NATURE PARK, REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

Abstract

The results of the study are presented on the parasite fauna of the wood bison from the Ust’-Buоtоmа Nursery, the Lena Pillars Nature Park (Yakutia), that participates in the re-acclimatization program with subsequent release into the wild in their new habitats. The breeding stock was brought from the Canadian Elk Island National Park (Alberta). During the study, six endoparasite species were found, including 1 species of the protozoa, Eimeria bovis, 2 species of cestodes, Moniezia expansa and Moniezia benedeni, and 3 species of nematodes, Cooperia spp., Ostertagia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. In the course of parasitological studies, zooanthroponosis of bison was excluded and endoparasites were detected that were common to wild and domestic large ungulates typical both for Yakutia and Canada according to epizootological data. In this regard, a potential exchange of helminths and protozoa was possible between natural biocenoses and agro-biocenoses. The parasites found in the Nature Park are a factor of natural selection, but they must be taken into account in the event of a characteristic clinical picture, and in case of loss of livestock, especially young animals, to implement effective therapeutic and preventive measures.