Noninvasive assessment of gastrointestinal parasites infection in freeranging wild herbivores and adjoining livestock of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

Research (Published online: 06-07-2017)

6. Noninvasive assessment of gastrointestinal parasites infection in freeranging wild herbivores and adjoining livestock of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abhay Sengar, A. B. Shrivastav, K. P. Singh and Amol Rokde

Veterinary World, 10(7): 748-751

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was conducted to know the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging wild herbivores and adjoining livestock of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Materials and Methods: A total of 374 fecal samples from wild herbivores (Chital Axis axis - 123, Sambar Rusa unicolor - 94, Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus - 86, and Chinkara Gazella bennettii - 71) and 284 fecal samples of domestic herbivores (cattle - 118, buffalo - 78, and goat - 88) were collected from common grazing land and adjoining area of tiger reserve. Detailed coprological examination for the presence of parasitic eggs/oocysts by direct smear examination, standard sedimentation, and floatation techniques was performed.

Results: Fecal samples (n=374) of four different species of wild herbivores were screened. Out of which, 55.61% (n=208) were positive for parasitic infection. Among them, 13.10% (n=49) were positive for mixed parasitic infection of two or more parasite and 42.5% (n=159) were found positive for single parasitic infection. A total of 284 fecal samples of domestic animals were screened from adjoining areas of the tiger reserve. Out of which, 66.54% (n=189) were positive for parasitic infections, out of which 19.71% (n=56) were positive for mixed infection of two or more parasites, and 46.83% (n=133) were found positive for single parasitic infection.

Conclusion: Wild herbivores at Panna Tiger Reserve were exposed to parasites including some that are known to be pathogenic; majority of wild animals had mixed infection of Eimeria spp., Trichuris spp., Monieziaspp., Amphistome, Strongyloides spp., Balantidium spp., and Fasciola spp.

Keywords: free ranging wild herbivores, gastrointestinal parasites, Panna Tiger Reserve.