Gastrointestinal Parasites in Giraffes Kept in Zoological Gardens of the Czech Republic

Abstract

Parasite prevalence was investigated in giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) housed in six major Czech zoological gardens: Zoo Ostrava, Zoo Dvůr Králové nad Labem, Zoo Liberec, Zoo Olomouc, Zoo Praha, and Zoo Plzeň. In autumn 2012 and in spring 2013, 120 faecal samples from 21 animals were examined using the McMaster egg counting technique. Propagative stages of three parasite groups were discovered, namely eggs of the nematodes of the order Strongylida (prevalence 25.8%), whipworms Trichuris spp. (prevalence 25%), and oocysts of the unicellular coccidia of the genus Eimeria (prevalence 1.7%). The results indicate that captive giraffes in the Czech zoos are not substantially affected by parasitic infection.