Prevalence of Helminthic Infections among Wild Animals in Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of helminthic parasites among wild animals in Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria was assessed for the first time. Out of a total of 397 wild animals belonging to 3 groups and 17 species examined, the infection was significantly (P < 0.05) high among small spotted genet cats (Genetta genetta) 3(33.33%), baboons (Papio anubis) 51(47.66%), red pattas monkeys (Erythrocebus pattas) 3(33.33%), tantalus monkeys (Cercopethicus aethiopes tantalus) 5(100%), waterbucks (Kobus deffasa) 10(96.92%), buffalos (Cyncerus caffer) 6(60%) and Hippopotami (Hippopotami amphibious) 3(100%). This is in comparison to lower prevalence rates encountered among the lions (Panthera leo) 12(27.91%), African civet cats (Viverra civetta) 5(15.15%), serval cats (Felis serval) 14.29%), Temminek’s golden cats (Felis temminekii) 1(25%) and crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) 3(7.89%). Similarly, it was lower among the Proboscidae / Artiodactyla, African elephants (Loxodonta africana) 11(16.42%), bushbucks (Tragelaphus scriptus) 1(18.0%), warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopes) 5(26.32%) and hartebeests (Alcelaphus buselaphus) 2(22.22%). Among the primates and Artiodactyla/Proboscidae, the males were more infected than their female counterparts (p<0.05). However, among the carnivores/reptiles the females were significantly (p<0.05) more infected than their male counterparts. According to age, the young animals were more infected than their adult counterparts (p<0.05). Mean faecal egg counts revealed that the intensity of infection was generally low to moderate in most animal groups. However, among the lions (Panthera leo) egg counts of 225.0 ± 0.41 due to Strongyloides and 237.5 ± 0.42 due to Strongyle infections were significantly high (P<0.05). Similarly, the baboons (Papio anubis) and African elephants (Loxodonta africana) had 203.3 ± 0.01 due to Ascaris and 450 ± 21.21 due to Strongyloides respectively. The warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopes) and hippopotami (Hippopotami amphibious), counts of 220 ± 1.85 and 200 ± 14.14 due to Toxoascaris and Dicrocoelum species were encountered respectively. Faecal culture and larval recovery revealed that Strongyloides canis and Ancylostoma caninum larvae were common among the carnivores. For the primates, Stronyloides stercoralis and Ancylostoma duodenale were encountered while, Haemonchus contortus, Stronyloides pappilosus, Trichostrongylus colubrioformis and Oesophagostamum columbianum were encountered among the Artiodactyla/ Proboscidae. In conclusion the wild animals harboured medical and veterinary parasites of various intensities.