Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Free-Ranging Bantengs (Bos javanicus) and Domestic Cattle at a Wildlife and Livestock Interface in Thailand

Abstract

Impact of human activities on conservation of endangered species is significant due to the creation of wildlife-livestock interfaces (WLI), which increases the likelihood of disease transmissions. Protected wildlife populations may suffer from diseases caused by gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, potentially impacting conservation efforts. A population of ~100 wild bantengs inhabits the Lam-Pao non-hunting area, which is adjacent to human communities, animal farms and the Pao River, making this WLI suitable for a study of prevalence of GI parasites in the bantengs and domestic cattle. This research examined the prevalence and diversity of GI parasites and explored the associations between the parasitic species identified in the 2 animal groups. Formalin ethyl - acetate concentration technique (FECT) identified overall prevalence of 26.2, 17.4, 53.3 % for both animal groups, bantengs and domestic cattle respectively. The following prevalence of parasitic eggs were identified in the bantengs (N = 46) and the domestic cattle (N = 15) respectively: 1) 8.7 and 46 % of strongyle-type; 2) 4.3 and 6.7 % of Moniezia spp.; 3) 2.2 and 0 % of Fasciola spp.; 4) 6.5 and 6.7 % of Rumen flukes; 5) 0 and 13.3 % of Toxocara spp.; 6) 0 and 6.7 % of Capillaria spp.; 7) 0 and 6.7 % of Strongyloides spp.; and 8) 0 and 6.7 % of Trichuris spp. The combination of coproculture and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) was used to identified common strongyle-type species. We determined Oesophagostomum radiatum in 2 cattle (13.3 %) and 3 (6.5 %) banteng samples, Cooperia onchophora in 1 (6.7 %) cattle sample and Ostertagia ostertagi in 1 (6.7 %) cattle sample. The results present in this study would enable management to proactively strategize and prepare for parasitic diseases that can endanger such a population. HIGHLIGHTS FECT indicated that strongyle-type eggs were the most observed in bantengs and domestic cattle. Overall prevalence of 26.2, 17.4 and 53.3 % for bantengs, domestic cattle and both groups combined were reported, which were relatively low. The prevalence of strongyle-type and Toxocara eggs differed statistically between the 2 groups, potentially due to farming, leading to re-infections and high prevalence in domestic animals. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT