Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Captive Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) Hatchlings at Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Abstract

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of captive gharial Gavialis gangeticus hatchlings were studied for six month from July to December of the year 2012. Direct sample collections were done in gharial breeding center at kasara, Chitwan National Park. A total of 85 death gharial hatchlings in frozen condition were collected using sterile plastic and were transported to the veterinary lab camped at buffer zone of Chitwan National Park nearby Sauraha. The death gharial hatchlings were dissected and various visceral organs were separated and were preserved in the normal saline for the parasitological investigations. Out of 85 samples examined 40 samples were positive contributing 47.06% as prevalence rate of gastrointestinal helminth parasites. During the study, three new helminth parasites were reported from the death gharial hatchlings; Pentastomid (Sebekia sp.), Capillarioids and Ascaridoids. These are the newly reported helminth parasites from Nepal. The death hatchlings were found to be infected with different types of helminth parasites such as Pentastomid (41.17%), Ascaridoids (7.05%), Capillarioids (1.175%), Proctocaecum gairhei (3.52%) and Exotidendrium sp. (36.47%). Month wise prevalence of helminth parasites were compared and in the month of December highest prevalence of helminth parasites were found; Pentastomid (100%) and Exotidendrium sp. (100%) and Proctocaecum gairhei (75%) and the lowest prevalence in the month July; Pentastomid (4%), Capillarioids (4%) and Exotidendrium sp. (8%).