Intestinal parasites in captive wild animals at four zoological gardens in Northeast China

Abstract

Objective: In order to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in captive wild animals in four zoological gardens in Heilongjiang Province of Northeast China. Method: From September 2016 to September 2020, fecal samples were collected from Harbin North Forest Zoo, Jiamusi Water Source Mountain Park, Qiqihar Longsha Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and Jixi City Zoo. The morphological identification of eggs or oocysts was carried out using the water washing precipitation method, saturated saline floatation method, and saturated sucrose floatation method. Results: The overall parasite positive detection rate in the four zoos were 18.33% (33/180), 21.69%(18/83), 22.22%(8/36), and 26.32%(10/38), respectively. The most prevalent parasitic species of Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Primates, and Aves were Ascaridoidea, Trichuris spp., and Contracaecum sp. Zoonotic parasites were also observed (Toxocara cati, Spirometra mansoni, Trichostrongylus sp.). Conclusions: The results are beneficial in assisting zoo management to formulate and implement preventive and control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among the animals or to humans.

A combined amplicon approach to nematode polyparasitism occurring in captive wild animals in southern China

“…Southern China belongs to the subtropical climate with high precipitation, temperature, and humidity, creating conditions for the reproduction and growth of parasitic nematodes, especially for soil-transmitted nematodes. This region had abundant categories of captive wild animals that were widely parasitized by GIT parasitic nematodes [ 14 , 15 ]. Some co-infective GIT nematodes with low species richness could also cause harm to their hosts, affecting wild animal biodiversity, and leading to zoonotic risk.…”