Zoological institutions as hotspots of gastrointestinal parasites that may affect the success of ungulate reintroduction programmes

Background: Ungulates from zoological institutions are frequently used as founders in reintroduction programmes. These animals are subject to specific parasite management as parasitic infections have previously been associated with failed Bovidae reintroductions. Methods: Questionnaires to obtain da...

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Published inVeterinary record Vol. 189; no. 7; p. no
Main Authors Gonzálvez, Moisés, Moreno, Eulalia, Pérez‐Cutillas, Pedro, Gilbert, Tania, Ortiz, Juana, Valera, Francisco, Espeso, Gerardo, Benzal, Jesús, Ibáñez, Belén, Ybáñez, María del Rocío Ruiz
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.10.2021
Subjects
Animals
Eimeria
Feces
gazella cuvieri
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - veterinary
Mammals
microclimate
nanger dama mhorr
oryx dammah
parasite management
Parasites
reintroduction programme
gazella cuvieri
parasite management
reintroduction programme
microclimate
oryx dammah
nanger dama mhorr
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Summary:Background: Ungulates from zoological institutions are frequently used as founders in reintroduction programmes. These animals are subject to specific parasite management as parasitic infections have previously been associated with failed Bovidae reintroductions. Methods: Questionnaires to obtain data on how these institutions screen for seasonal parasite presence and the clinical signs they induced in threatened ungulates were sent to 65 institutions involved in European Ex situ Programmes (58.5% response rate). Temperature and relative humidity data were also obtained to categorize each zoological centre. Results: Strongyloides spp. (52.6%), Trichuris spp. (42.1%), Trichostrongylidae family (39.4%) and Eimeria spp. (36.8%) were the most frequently reported parasites in the received questionnaires. Climatic variables did not influence parasite presence. Conclusion: Our results suggest that artificial microenvironments created by husbandry practices and enclosure design in zoos could create hotspots for gastrointestinal parasites. To maximise the success of reintroduction projects, we recommend that the influence of microclimates on parasite burdens be evaluated.
Bibliography:Both the authors contributed equally to this study.
ISSN:0042-4900
2042-7670
DOI:10.1002/vetr.506