Helminthiasis in Captive Wild Carnivores and Its Control in India

Manuscript 1001; Received 14 Feb 2003; Revised finally accepted 29 April 2004; © Zoo Outreach Organisation 1540 ABSTRACT Helminthiasis in wild carnivores can cause high morbidity and mortality specially in young ones. This paper discusses in brief on the occurrence of helminthic infestation in wild carnivores as reported from India. They suffer from trematodes, cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephala infestation. Paragonimiasis, hydatidosis, dinofilariasis, hookworm infection and toxocariasis appear to be common among these animals. The various helminths recorded from Indian wild carnivores along with the host animal and location of the parasite have been listed. Infestation with trematodes, cestodes and nematodes have been frequently reported but there appears to be only one report of acanthocephala infestation from a Jungle Cat. The paper also discusses about the principles of control measures for helminthiasis in wild carnivores that can be adopted in Indian zoos.