Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in captive wild animals of Nandan Van Zoo, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Aim: Zoological gardens exhibit wild animals for aesthetic, educational and conservation purposes. Parasitic diseases constitute one of the major problems causing morbidity and even mortality in captive wild animals. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in captive wild animals belonging to Nandan Van Zoo, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. Materials and Methods: Atotal of 210 faecal samples were screened from apparently normal/healthy captive wild animals from various enclosures of the zoo. Samples were tested using sedimentation and sugar floatation techniques. Result: Microscopic examination of faecal samples revealed 46.2% (97) prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in captive wild animals. Prevalence of GI parasites was higher in primates (60%) followed by herbivores (45.6%) and carnivores (45.2%). Conclusion: Our study suggests that among different helminthic infections, the prevalence of nematodal infection was higher than cestodal infection. Majority of captive wild animals had mixed infection ofToxocara sp. and Diphyllobothrium sp. There is a need of detail epidemiological investigation on prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in captive wild animals in respect to season, age, climate etc. © The authors.