SURVEY OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN CAPTIVE WILD ANIMALS AT ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, KANO, NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

^*1Shafiu Nafiu Abdullahi, ²Bashir Sani, ³Maryam Habeeb Muhammad, ⁴Ahmad Abdullahi, ⁵Maryam Lawal Faragai, ⁶Bello Abubakar Kabir
^{1, 5, 6}Department of Life Sciences, Kano State Polytechnic, Kano- Nigeria
^{2, 4} Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Kano State Polytechnic, Kano
³Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Kano State Polytechnic
ORCID Id: ¹ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1266-6323
Corresponding author: shafiu.nafiu@kanopoly.edu.ng, +2348064042006

Abstract

This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild animals at Kano Zoological garden between October and December, 2016. One hundred and seventy six (176) fecal samples were collected from 43 captive wild animals and examined using direct wet mount, zinc floatation and sedimentation methods. Nine species of intestinal parasites from helminthes 6(62.7%) and protozoa 3(32.7%) were identified with an overall prevalence of 39.2%. Trichuris trichuira had the highest prevalence (25.6%) among the helminthes, followed by Strongyloides sp. (16.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11.6%) while Hymenolepis diminuta and Entrobius vamicularis recorded the least each with 4.6%. There was significant difference of helminthes infection (P< 0.05) among the animals. Among the protozoa encountered Entamoeba histolytica had the highest of 18.6% prevalence, followed by Giardia lamblia and Balantidium coli which had 9.3% and 2.3% respectively. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the prevalence rate of protozoa parasites. Multiple infection was recorded in Mona monkey and Dog faced baboon with four gastrointestinal parasites, followed by sooty mongabey, Red patas monkey, Mona monkey, lion, Nile crocodile, Elephant, red dorcas gazelle each with three parasites. Single infections were recorded in spotted hyena, sand fox, tortoise and white dorcas gazelle. There was light infection among all animals examined. It is therefore recommended that periodic epidemiological investigation should be carried out on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in order to curtail the potential danger to visitors, keepers and other captive animals in the zoo.

Key words: Gastrointestinal Parasites, Captive wild Animals, Survey, Zoological Garden, Kano North western Nigeria