Coprological Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Wild Animals of India: A Review

Abstract

Parasites play an important role in the health of wild animals and can profoundly affect the conservation strategies. Although few studies are available on the prevalence of parasites in wild animals, most of these describe protozoans and helminthic infections in captive wild herbivores and carnivores which cause morbidities in the infected animals. Present study reviewed coprological prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in wild animals of India which provides insight into the wildlife health and parasitic infection. Study reveals some interesting facts like infection of nematodes like Strongyle, Strongyloides and Trichuris in herbivores and Toxocara in felids and canids is most common while infection of trematodes, Fasciola and Paramphistome were only found in herbivores such as spotted deer, black buck and sambar. Wild carnivores were often infected with cestode species Spirometra and Diphyllobothrium. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of parasitic infection and its treatment based on existing reports from various parts of India including captive and natural habitat which recommend further detailed investigation for wildlife management.