Endoparasites and Associated Worm Burden of Captive and Free-Living Ostriches ( Struthio camelus ) in the Semi-Arid Region of North Eastern Nigeria

摘要

Endoparasites and associated worm burden of captive and free-living wild ostriches ( Struthio camelus ) in the semi arid, north-eastern part of Nigeria was investigated by random faecal sampling. The study involved a total of 100 ostriches consisting of 50 free-living in their natural habitat found at various sectors (Kwada, Jeltare, and Bulanjibia) of Chad Basin National Park and 50 others in captivity at the Sanda Kyarimi Park and from private owners within the metropolis. The ostriches belonging to the two groups were found to harbour a variety of helminth parasites such as Strongyloides, Strongyle, Capillaria, Ascaridia spp. and protozoan parasites such as Eimeria spp. Mean eggs per gram (epg) of faeces was 150±0.23 to 773±0.48 and oocyst counts per gram (opg) of faeces was 310 ± 0.34 to 393.33 ± 0.34 and were significantly (P Strongyloides and Libyostrongylus douglassii . The effect of age on the prevalence of infection with various endoparasites revealed that the chicks ( 12 months). Sex did not show any effect on the prevalence of infection. The significance of infection as well as control measures is discussed.