Abstract

Aim: The main purpose of the study is to determine prevalence and associated risk factors with gastrointestinal parasitic infections in porcupine from Kerala state Zoo, India.  

Method and materials:  Porcupines were screened using classical parasitological techniques, sedimentation and floatation methods. The faecal samples collected from the Zoo were analyzed for the presence of endoparasites.

Results: Out of the total six faecal samples screened, all (100%) samples were positive for gastrointestinal parasitic infections. The parasites identified were Ascarid, Strongyle sp. (nematode or round worm), Strongyloids sp. (nematode) and Trichuris. The percentage of the parasitic attack off eggs/ oocytes of these three different types of parasites observed in the study were ascarid (66.6%), Strongyle sp. (16.66 %), Strongyloids (50 %) and Trichuris sp. (50 %).

Conclusion: It was concluded that the endoparasites Ascarid, Strongyloids sp. (nematode or round worm), Strongyloids sp. (nematode) and Trichuris occurred in captive porcupines.

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