SEASONAL VARIATION AND PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN CAPTIVE MAMMALS AT LAHORE ZOO

Waqas Ali; Sadia  Ali; Abid Hussain; Abdul   Haseeb; Tanveer Ahmed; Waqas Shabeer; Muhammad Waqas  Anwer; Mehwish Shaukat; Umme Hani; Atif Sadique; Mudasar Hussain

doi:10.48165/abr.2024.26.01.355

Authors

Waqas Ali Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Sadia Ali Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Abid Hussain Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University of Bhimber-10040-AJK, Pakistan
Abdul Haseeb Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University of Bhimber-10040-AJK, Pakistan
Tanveer Ahmed Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University of Bhimber-10040-AJK, Pakistan
Waqas Shabeer Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University of Bhimber-10040-AJK, Pakistan
Muhammad Waqas Anwer Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University of Bhimber-10040-AJK, Pakistan
Mehwish Shaukat Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Pakistan
Umme Hani Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Atif Sadique Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Mudasar Hussain Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/abr.2024.26.01.355

Keywords:

Captivity, Zoo, Fecal examination, Parasites, Risk factor, zoonosis

Abstract

This study was conducted at Lahore Zoo, Punjab, Pakistan from January to December 2023 to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in 10 different captive wild mammalian species. The mammals including girrafe (Giraffa), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), zebra (Equus quagga), lion (Panthera leo), leopard (Panthera pardus), Rhinoceros (Rhinocerotidae), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Chinkara deer (Gazella bennettii), urial (Ovis vignei) and nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) were selected. A total of 100 fresh fecal samples were collected from the animal enclosures in polythene bags (6×4 inches) 2 times during study period. Coprological examination was done using qualitative analysis such as direct smear method, sedimentation method and flotation methods. The parasitic prevalence was as follows zebra 44.5%, followed by giraffes, rhinoceroses, and wild boars at 27.8%, nilgai, urial, lion and vervet monkey at 22.3%, chinkara 16.7% and leopard 11.2%. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was as Eimeria spp. (3.9%), Strongyloides spp. (3.4%), Trichuris spp. (2.8%), Giardia spp., Ascaris spp., and Strongyle spp. (2.3%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.12%), Trematode eggs (1.12%), Nematodirus (1.12%), Balantidium coli (0.6%), Haemonchus contortus (0.6%), Paramphistomum cervi (0.6%), Parascaris equorum (1.12%) and Cryptosporidium (1.12%). The overall parasitic prevalence was 23.9%, with a noticeable seasonal variation, being higher in summer (31.2%) compared to winter (17.79%). These findings highlight the significant parasitic burden in captive wild mammals. It can be concluded that regular de-worming sessions, cleaning, disinfection of enclosures and proper disposal of fecal matter should be done to reduce the overall parasitic burden.

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