Investigation on Prevalence of Parasitic Infection in Herbivores and Carnivores of Chattogram Zoo, Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites pose significant health risks to captive animals, whose confinement and stress increase susceptibility to infections. This study investigated the prevalence and causal agents of gastrointestinal parasitic infection in selected captive herbivores and carnivores of Chattogram Zoo, Chattogram. A total of 17 fecal samples from 11 species of captive herbivores and carnivores were screened using direct smear, sedimentation, and floatation techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection was 29.41%, with herbivores showing a higher prevalence (44.45%) compared to carnivores (12.5%). Six different types of parasites were identified in this study including Monizia sp., Ostertagia sp., Trichuris sp. Chebartia sp., Trichostrongylus sp., and Oesophagostomum sp. Mixed infection was found only in herbivores. Protozoa and trematodes were not detected in this study. The animals showed no obvious clinical symptoms, indicating a subclinical infection. However, among these parasites, Ostertagia sp. and Oesophagostomum sp. can cause severe clinical disease under immune-compromised or adverse environmental condition. This study suggests the need for further detailed epidemiological studies on species-specific parasite along with regular feces examination regardless of illness and an effective deworming schedule should be implemented to control parasitic infection in Chattogram Zoo.