A SURVEY OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN
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Date
2017-09-01
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Vom Journal of Veterinary Science
Abstract
Parasites affect the well-being and productivity of wild animals in captivity, increasing their stress level and resulting in failure to thrive. A survey was done to investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of animals at the University of Ilorin zoological garden. All animals present were screened for gastrointestinal parasites via faecal analysis using standard coprological techniques. An overall prevalence rate of 62.9% was recorded(carnivores 68%, herbivores 72.2%, primates 38.9% and reptiles 77.8%). Trichuris spp was the only parasite isolated in primates, while oxyurid nematoda was the onlyparasite isolated in reptiles. Strongyle type eggs were the most prevalent in the herbivores with a prevalence of 66.7% while Ancylostoma spp was the most prevalent nematode parasite in carnivores at 32.0%. Coccidia oocysts were the only gastrointestinal protozoa recorded in this study and were found in carnivores (40%)and herbivores (27.8%). Four avian species were involved in this study (Emu, Ostrich,White peafowls and White pelican) and only the peafowls had gastrointestinal parasites. Parasites isolated were Syngamus trachea, Capillaria spp, Ascaridiagalli andCoccidia oocysts. The outcome of this study indicates the presence of parasites of zoonotic importance (Trichuris spp, Toxocara spp and Ancylostoma spp) among screened animals. The outcome of this survey calls for the optimisation of husbandry, management, surveillance and therapeutic practices in the zoo in order to prevent a possible failure to thrive of the animals and breakdown of public health.
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Captive animals, gastrointestinal parasites, Prevalence, Public health, Research Subject Categories::VETERINARY MEDICINE::Other veterinary medicine
Citation
Kolapo, T. U., & Jegede, O. H. (2017). A survey of gastrointestinal parasites of captive animals at the University of Ilorin zoological garden. Vom J. Vet. Sci, 12, 17-27.