A total of forty two resident animals representing eighteen wildlife species at the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Zoo Park were screened for nematode helminths between May and June 2013. Freshly voided faeces from the animals were subjected to basic coprology tests (Direct Microscopic Examination and Concentration Techniques). Trichuris specie. was the most prevalent nematode in primate species. Prevalence of 14.3% and 28.6% were recorded for Capillaria specie and Strongyles in the primates respectively. A prevalence of 100% infection with nematodes in screened fourteen (14) primates was recorded. Mona and Vervet monkeys have the highest points for parasite richness count of 2 out of 3 detected nematodes amongst the primates. Wild birds at the park recorded the lowest prevalence for any type of nematodes with 7 out of 8 species without any nematode detected. Ascaridae was only detected in carnivorous reptiles and birds. In terms of feeding category, carnivorous species namely the (Aquila spilogaster) and Royal python (P. regius) have the highest species richness count of parasites. Non-nematode helminths detected include protozoons (Isospora and Eimeria) and Cestodes segments suspected to be Echinococcus proglotids. Knowledge of the helminth parasites in wild animals is vital in formulating preventative veterinary protocols in captive exhibits. This is the first documented account of nematode helminths of resident wild animals at the FUNAAB Zoo Park, Abeokuta. Introduction Captive-held wild animals are those housed in zoological exhibits, rehabilitation centers, zoos, research stations, sanctuaries, aquaria, circuses, and plantations. These animals are kept for purposes like education, entertainment, relaxation, research, cultural, transportation, labour and preservation of endangered species. Parasites have been incriminated as capable of causing unthriftness and ill health in captive and free ranging wildlife (Gillespie, 2006; Emikpe et al., 2007;Milozzi et al.,

Seasonal fluctuations of the Simulium damnosum Theobald complex and the prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus Bickel in blackflies caught in river systems bordering the Nigeria -Benin border were assessed for their direct impact on the epidemiology of onchocerciasis in South-western Nigeria. Entomological evaluation and heteroduplex assay (HDA) techniques were performed on flies caught in the eight capture points in the Ogun and Yewa river systems between A total of 5789 blackflies were caught on human bait, of which 727 (12.6%) flies were captured in 2007, 1723 (29.8%) in 2008 and 3339 (57.6%) in 2009. The majority of flies caught during the study were forest flies representing 90.3% of the total catch while savanna flies constituted 9.7%. Proportions of parous to nulliparous flies were low in all the catching points (31.1 and 68.9%, respectively). Of the 5789 flies dissected, 11 (0.2%) flies were infected with Onchocerca parasites with nine of the infected flies having L3 head parasites. The HDA results revealed that the Beffa form of S. soubrense was the dominant cytospecies present (87.1%) in all the capture sites when compared with 12.9% of S. damnosum s.s. The low level of infectivity of flies may therefore indicate a low transmission level of onchocerciasis in the communities along the Ogun and Yewa river systems. However, there is a need for constant surveillance on species composition and fly infectivity in the river systems along the borders of Nigeria -Benin Republic.

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Context: Sustainable utilization of abundant forage grass species in Nigeria is very crucial in grasscutter domestication programme. Objective: This study evaluates comparative effects of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) parts on growth performance of captive-bred juvenile male grasscutters. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted inside Grasscutter Domestication Unit of Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. The experimental animal comprised of twenty-four juvenile males (JM) with mean live-weight of 410±2.11g fed four basal dietary treatment combinations: Elephant grass stem (EGS), Elephant Grass Leaf (EGL), Gamba Grass Stem (GGS) and Gamba Grass Leaf (GGL) in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement for 120 days to obtain data which includes feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain (WG), nutrient digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and crude fibre (CF). Results: Average daily feed intake (FI) in JM was significantly (p<0.05) higher in experimental animals fed with GGS (107.23g/d) and EGS (106.21g/d) relative to GGL (105.89g/d) and EGL (105.14g/d). EGL exhibited higher (4.45g/d) WG and lowest (23.69) FCR. JM fed EGL recorded highest digestibility of DM (85.64%) and CF (83.84%), respectively. Grass species and parts interaction showed significant variation (p<0.05) on FI, DM and CF of the animals when fed EGL. Conclusion: It was evident that EGL was maximally utilized by captive-bred juvenile male grasscutters for growth performance hence, feeding of captive male grass cutters with EGL as basal food for table meat production is recommended.

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