Endoparasites in wild animals at the zoological garden in Skopje, Macedonia

Abstract

The health status of animals held in captivity depends on many factors like: diet, environment, enclosure conditions and animal management. Since one of the main causes of death in wild animals are parasitic infections, regular parasites control and antiparasitic treatment are of great importance in zoo animals. Our study presents an overview of parasites found in animals kept at Skopje Zoo, Macedonia, from 2007 to 2009. Parasite detection was done by fecal analysis using ZnSO4 flotation method. The most common parasites identified were Toxocara sp., Toxascaris leonina, Strongyloides sp., Trichostrongylus sp. and Eimeria sp. In 2007 the percentage of infected animals was 21.4%. In 2008 the percentage of infected animals was about 32.14% and in 2009 it was 28.57%, which is relatively high. The reconstruction of the enclosures during the past three years, when many animals were transferred from one enclosure to another and were mixed with other species of animals, probably caused such a high percentage of parasitic infection. With an appropriate program of antiparasitc treatment and measures to prevent parasitic infection, this percentage can decrease.