Prevalence of Endo-parasites in Peafowls (Pavo cristatus) under Captivity Stress and Ameliorative Effect of Anti-Helminthic Drugs

Abstract

A study was conducted to find the prevalence of endo-parasites in Pavo cristatus and the comparative efficacy of Albandazole and Levamisole against the endo parasites at three different locations viz. Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore, Wildlife Park Murree and Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar. Freshly dropped fecal sample were collected once before treatment with anthelminthic drug and twice after treatment and brought to laboratory for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Direct smear method and fecal floatation technique was used for isolation and identification of endo-parasites. Modified McMaster technique was used to calculate Eggs per gram. The data was subjected to ANOVA and Tukey-HSD (post hoc test). Six species of endo-parasites were identified from Jallo Wildlife Park. Eimeria (7500) and Ascaris (1100) were the most abundant. Murree Wildlife park had only two species i.e. Eimeria (3850) and Strongyloides (350). In Bahawalanagar Wildlife Park, 4 species of endo-parasites were found (Eimeria = 1450, Strongyloides = 550, Heterakis = 350 and Hymenolepsis = 550). Levamisole was more efficient against endo-parasites as compared to Albandazole. Efficacy of Levamisole at Lahore, Murree and Bahawalnagar wildlife parks after 15 days was 98.36%, 92.85% and 84.48% respectively as compared to Albandazole whose efficacy was 94.53%, 78.57% and 53.44%, respectively.