Gastrointestinal parasites of captive Asian elephants in Kerala*

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections invariably affect the health status of elephants and can cause disease and death in elephants. This study was conducted to assess the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitesof elephants in Kerala and to relate it to the deworming status. A total of 31 Asian elephants presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy, those under private ownership (Thrissur) and forest department formed the basis of the study.It was observed that 32.2 per cent of elephants in the study were affected with GI parasites. High percentage of strongyle ova was observed followed by the mixed infection of strongyle and Strongyloides ova. Statistical analysis of haematological parameters were done by using student t test in SPSS version 24.0. The haematological studies of elephants infected with GI parasites revealed anaemia and eosinophilia.

Keywords

• elephant
• gastrointestinal parasites
• kerala