Abstract

A survey of prevalence and intensity of gastro-intestinal parasites of carnivores in three university zoological gardens in South-West Nigeria was conducted. Faecal samples collected were analysed with flotation technique using a saturated solution of zinc sulfate as the floating solution, McMaster Egg Counting Technique and Petri Dish-Filter Paper Slant technique for larval recovery. Faecal examination revealed an overall infection prevalence of 49.1%. The prevalence in University of Ibadan (UI) zoo was 23.7%, 54.8% in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and 69.2% in University of Ilorin (UniIlorin) zoos. The gastrointestinal helminths identified include Ancylostoma sp., Ascaris sp., Baylisascaris sp., Toxascaris sp., Toxocara sp., Strongyloides sp. and Entamoeba sp. was the only protozoa encountered. Ascaris sp., had the highest prevalence of 22.6%, followed by Ancylostoma sp. with a rate of 20.8%. Baylisascaris sp., and Strongyloides sp. both had a prevalence rate of 13.2% each, while Entamoeba sp. yielded the lowest prevalence (3.8%). Regular monitoring of parasitic diseases and the use of selective treatments would be effective for the control of the gastrointestinal helminths for the wellbeing of animals, safety of zoo keepers and tourists in the zoo.

Key words: Carnivores, gastrointestinal parasites, zoological gardens, South-West Nigeria.