The epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasitism and body condition in free-ranging herbivores

摘要

This study examined the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and pasture contamination, and assessed the body condition of free-ranging wild herbivores (i.e. Chital or Spotted Deer, Sambar and Nilgai) in Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh). The work was carried out in three distinct seasons (i.e. winter, summer and rainy) for a period of 1 year (2005-06). Faecal samples were collected and screened for the presence of eggs/oocysts/cysts of parasites on the basis of qualitative and quantitative estimation techniques, and the body condition of animals was evaluated on a point scale.