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., Moniezia spp., Amphistome, Strongyloides spp., Balantidium spp., and Fasciola spp.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.