Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths in Some Birds Kept at Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Zoo Park, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Captive-held wild animals are those housed in zoological exhibits, rehabilitation centres, zoos, research stations, sanctuaries, aquaria, circuses, and plantations. However, parasitic diseases constitute one of the major problems causing mortality in these animals while in captivity. The effects range from sub-clinical to death; hence, the study was conducted to assess the gastrointestinal parasite profile of birds kept in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ZooPark. Freshly voided faecal samples of Psittacus erithacus, Psittacula krameri, Balaerica pavonina, pavo cristatus, Chen caerulescens, Struthio camelus and Anas platyrhynchos were collected before routine cleaning. Samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks between 7am- 9am within the month of October and November, 2019. A total of 56 faecal samples from 7 birds were picked from the ground by utilizing a sterile scoop for each animal species to avoid cross contamination. Each sample was put in a new labelled sterile bottle with the name of each bird from which the faecal sample was collected. Samples were then transported to the laboratory for microscopic analysis which was done within 24 hours. Egg counting was done using the McMaster Egg Counting Technique. Identification of intestinal helminth ova was done by using the keys. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and Microsoft excel. Prevalence was calculated while the weekly egg counts of intestinal helminthes were presented using descriptive statistics. The distribution of intestinalhelminthes infections among the surveyed birds vary from (Psittacula krameri 100%, pavo cristatus 100%, Psittacus erithacus 66.67%, Balaerica pavonina 66.67%, Chen caerulescens 66.67%, Struthio camelus 66.67%, and Anas platyrhynchos 66.67%). In conclusion, the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes revealed that Ascaridiagalli andStrongyloides spp had the highest prevalence among the birds with 100% while Raillietina spp recorded the lowest prevalence with 28.6%.