STUDY ON DETERMINATION OF ANTHELMINTIC EFFICACY AND ANTIMICROBIAL SENSITIVITY IN ASIATIC ELEPHANT

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Bangabandhu Safari Park, Dulahazra, Cox’s Bazar for 1 month from 25 December 2013 to 23 January 2014 to estimate the anthelmintic efficacy against gastrointestinal parasites and antibiotic sensitivity of gastrointestinal microbes in Asian elephants. Four fecal samples of elephants were collected. Fecal examination indicated the presence of Strongyles eggs and larvae. The male had a higher eggs burden while larvae were higher in female. Below 30 years of age group elephants had higher amount of eggs and larvae than above 30 years of age group before anthelmintic treatment. Eggs and larvae per gram of faeces were considerably decreased after 14 day of treatment with Nitroxynil. Besides, gastrointestinal bacteria (Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. and E. coli) were also determined by culture in selective media from fecal samples. And antimicrobial sensitivity tests were also performed. A total of 9 antimicrobials were tested among which Gentamycin (100%), Ciprofloxacin (75%) ampicillin (25%) and cefradoxin (25%) were found strongly sensitive. Considering the semi-captive condition of wild elephant, more controlled drug trial with a control group is suggested for further study.