Studies on the Helminth Fauna of Alaska. XXXIV. The Parasites of Wolves, Canis lupus L.

Abstract

particularly for the Eskimos and Indians living in more remote regions. These aboriginal peoples continually have close association with canine animals and would appear to be quite vulnerable to infection from this source. That this is true is already evident, although data on morbidity from animal-borne diseases are far from complete. At the present time, at least in Alaska, these people have little ability to lessen the degree of exposure to zoonotic diseases, for poverty, ignorance of the problems, and adverse climatic conditions combine in making it difficult to effect sanitary practices necessary to prevent such exposures. The investigation of parasites and diseases of canine animals in Alaska was initiated by Rausch in January, 1949. Many canids, representing 5 species, have been autopsied over the 10-year period, and it is believed that these surveys are now sufficiently complete to permit an evaluation of the potential importance of the helminths to human health. The findings for each canine species will be reported separately. It is the purpose of this paper to present observations on the helminths of wolves, Canis lupus L., with a review of pertinent literature.