Parasitofauna in the gastrointestinal tract of the Cervids (Cervidae) in northern Poland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine parasite species and their prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract of the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) from selected areas of northern Poland. A total of 1668 fecal samples, obtained from animals living in three various regions, were analyzed. The samples were examined by coproscopic techniques, including flotation (according to Fülleborn), decantation (according to Zarnowski and Josztowa) and flotation in the McMaster chamber. The experimental materials were collected from January 2008 to January 2009, in the hunting districts belonging to two hunting associations, "Bór" in Wipsowo and "Gwardia Slupsk" in Lupawa. In order to compare the health status of cervids kept under farm-like conditions, fecal samples were also collected in the paddocks of the Municipal Zoological Garden "Wybrzeza" in Gdansk. Parasites (eggs and oocysts) were found in 42.09% of the analyzed samples. The most frequently observed roundworm was Chabertia sp. (13.79% in roe deer, 12.07% in red deer, 11.36% in fallow deer). High counts of Ostertagia sp. eggs (11.55% in roe deer, 6.03% in red deer, 13.18% in fallow deer) and Trichostrongylus sp. eggs (10.69% in roe deer, 2.93% in red deer, 10.68% in fallow deer) were also noted. The highest infestation rates (51.17%) were determined in the studied areas of the Zoological Garden in Gdansk.