Intestinal parasitic infection in wild animals of a zoological garden in Alborz, Iran

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Abstract
Here we studied the intestinal parasites in animals at a zoological garden in Alborz, Iran. A total of 83 fecal samples from various captive wild animals, consisting of 21 different species were collected randomly and analyzed for the presence of the different stages of parasites by direct smear preparation and zinc sulfate flotation followed by Ziel-Neelsen staining method. The examined animals in this study consist of 7 species of carnivores (26 samples), 10 species of herbivores (46 samples), and 4 species of different groups of birds (11 samples). Examination of fecal samples revealed that 22 (26.50%) of animals, that belonging to 7 animal species, were infected with different intestinal parasites. Among gastrointestinal parasites positive captive wild animals 18 samples (21.68 %) belong to herbivores and 4 samples (4.81 %) to Aves. Among captive wild animals the prevalence of parasites was higher in herbivores (21.68%) followed by Aves (4.81). Results indicated that out of 22 animal samples that parasites were encountered, 14 (16.86%) were infected with helminths (Trichuris spp., Nematodirus spp., Ascaridia galli and some unknown Nematodes eggs) and 8 (9.63%) were infected with protozoa (Oocysts of Eimeria sp.). In the conclusion, it could be resulted that there is a need of control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among animals within the zoo.

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