Investigation of ecto-endo parasites in some animals in Al-Mahaweel Reserve / Babylon.

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate parasites in some animals located in Al-Mahaweel reserve located north of Babel Governorate in central Iraq during the winter season. In the study, 261 fecal samples were collected from six species of animals, including Dama dama, Gazelle subgutturosa, Gazelle gazelle, and Macaca sp. and two types of birds are ostrich, Struthio camelus, and peacock, Pavo cristatus to investigate Parasitic infections. Entamoeba recorded the highest infection rate of 81%, followed by cryptosporidium spp. with an infection rate of 42%, Isospora sp. 40%, and the lower rate of infection with the Balantidium sp. of 28.57%, Ascaris sp. of 22.85%, Toxocara canis 20%, and one ectoparasite, Hyalomma Marginatum on ostriches with a rate of 16%. This study showed that parasitic infections are widespread in captive animals in the winter season, and they are among the dangerous causes for the health of these animals. Where it is necessary to conduct more studies to examine the mechanism of transmission of parasites among protected animals.

Keywords

• Reserves, Captive animals, internal parasites, Ticks