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Original Research
4.
Helminth parasites and reservoir status of captive
wild ruminants in the semi-arid region of
north-eastern Nigeria
- Umar I Ibrahim, Albert W Mbaya, Yaqub A Geidam,
Halima I Gambo, Kyari A Sanda, Okoro L Kelechi
Vet World. 2012; 5(9): 530-534
doi:
10.5455/vetworld.2012.5
30-534
Abstract
Aim:
To determine the various helminth parasites and
associated helminth reservoir status of captive wild
ruminants in the semi-arid region of north-eastern,
Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Faecal
samples were examined for nematode ova by the simple
floatation technique using saturated sodium chloride
solution as floatation medium. Trematode eggs were
examined by the sedementation technique. The
modified McMaster technique was used to determine
the intensity of helminth infections among the
various species of wild ruminants examined, while
larval isolation and identification using the
modified Baerman's technique was used to determine
the various species of parasites encountered.
Results: Out of the 36 samples examined, a high
parasite count due to Strongyle infection without
the manifestation of overt clinical signs was
observed among the captive wild ruminants. The egg
counts ranged from 500 + 10.0 among the Grimm's
duicker (Sylvicaprea grimmia) to 5, 350 + 51.70
among the Senegal hartebeest (Damaliscus korrigum).
The helminth larvae recovered which were common to
all the species of wild ruminants were those of
Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrogylus axei and
Strongyloides papillosus, Demographic data such as
age, sex and species of wild animals showed no
significant (p>0.05) variation on the prevalence of
the helminth infections.
Conclusion: The
results of this study suggests that the captive wild
ruminants in the semi-arid region of north-eastern,
Nigeria, were reservoirs of various helminth
parasites of medical and veterinary importance. It
was therefore, recommended that improved sanitary
conditions in animal enclosures, regular and
strategic anthelmintic medications may on one hand
protect the spread of infection to attendants and
visitors to the park. On the other hand it will
enhance the in-situ conservation of the rare and
endangered species of wild ruminants in the area.
Keywords: Captive wild ruminants, Helminth
parasites, Reservoir status, Nigeria.
