Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Wild Buffalo (Bubalus Arnee, Kerr, 1792) of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal.

Abstract

Wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is endangered species which are conserved in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), located in Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur district of Eastern Terai Region of Nepal. In order to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites of wild buffalo in KTWR, total of 160 fresh dung samples were collected by random faecal sampling method in March, 2016 and examined by floatation, sedimentation and Stool’s counting technique using Lugol’s Iodine mount following standard technique. Out of 160 dung samples examined, 76 (47.50%) dung samples were found positive for different parasitic infections. Nematode infection was found comparatively more (38.75%) than the protozoan (35%) infection. Seven different parasite species were revealed with one coccidian parasite: Eimeria 56 (35%) whereas six helminthes, including one species of trematode: Paramphistomum 37 (23%) and five species of nematode: Trichostrongylus 56 (35%), Haemonchus 47 (29.37%), Toxocara 39 (26.25%), Strongyloides 38 (23.75%) and Oxyuris 35 (21.88) were identified. The prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infection in wild buffaloes were found statistically insignificant (χ² = 0.15, P>0.05). Among, identified protozoan parasites, Eimeria without micropile and with micropile showed insignificant distribution (χ²=0.83, P<0.05) whereas, the prevalence of parasites among protozoa (35%), trematode (11.87%) and nematode (38.75%) were significantly different (χ²=12.48, P<0.05). Similarly, prevalence of mixed parasitic infections in wild buffaloes (χ² =11.806, P<0.05) also showed statistically significant different. However, no any activities on health care of wild buffalo regarding the intestinal parasites were found. Thus, this study indicated a higher prevalence of intestinal parasite in wild buffalo of KTWR.