Prevalence of endoparasitic infections in wild cervids of Army Golf Course, Mathura.

The objective of this study was to investigate, through cross-sectional survey, the distribution, types and prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites affecting wild cervids of Army Golf Course, Mathura. The copro samples were collected from animals of either sex and of different age groups and examined for copro examination by flotation and sedimentation techniques followed by copro culture and Bearmans technique for the identification of helminth species using standard keys. A total of 46 samples were screened. Single parasite infections (30 %) were more common than two or more infections (12 %). The data on the distribution of the various worm species in the positive animals indicate that Haemonchus spp. eggs (32 %) was more predominant followed by Hookworms (21 %); Strongyloides spp. (13 %) and Oesophagostomum spp. (5 %). Coccidian infections with eimerian species was found in (28 %) while Isospora spp. was found in (8 %) cases. The present study has generated an important data regarding parasitism of these wild animals which is of immense significance from epidemiological point of view. Further, more detailed parasitological studies are needed and future research on wild animal population dynamics should not neglect parasitic infections, which are of great importance for species conservation.