Prevalence Of Endoparasitic Diseases In Private Elephants Of Buffer Zone Of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Research Article
Arjun Pandit, I.P.Dhakal and Kamal Prasad Gairhe
DOI: 
xxx-xxxxx-xxxx
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
Prevalence, Endoparasitic Diseases, BCS, Tuberculosis, Elephants, Chitwan.
Abstract: 

Elephants in private resort are mainly kept for tour operation. Parasitic infestation, tuberculosis and poor foot health are the common problems in the captive elephants of private sector of chitwan. These problems are associated with poor management and poor veterinary care to those elephants. In the study of Karki (2007), there was 100 % prevalence of parasitic infestation in the fecal samples of 20 elephants from Suklaphanta national park, Bardiya national park, Chitwan national park and Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve. In that study, various parasites like Fasciola jacksoni, Paramphistome, Oesophagostome, Chabertia, Schistosomes, Dicrocelium and Moneizia were commonly observed. However, in the study of Jani (2008), the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Indian elephants was found to be 62.5 %. In the same study, the prevalence rate of Strongyloides was 20 %, 8 % and 48 %. In another study, the prevalence rate of parasite infestation was 48 % in forest department system, 32 % in temple and 31 % in private sector. Egg per gram (EPG) was moderate (Nishanth et. al., 2012). The study was conducted in the private elephant stables located around the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, Sauraha of Nepal in the monsoon season (i.e. June to August, 2013). Altogether 35 fecal samples were examined for parasitic prevalence and questionnaire survey was done with each mahout of respective elephants. Parasitic appraisal was done using both sedimentation and floatation method and egg per gram (EPG) count was done using Mac. Master’s egg counting technique (Soulsby, 1982). Among 35 elephants, 63 % were found negative with Tuberculosis, 23 % were TB positive with treatment ongoing, 11 % have completed the TB treatment before one year and 3 % have completed the treatment before 2 years. Similarly, 9 % of the elephants have the infestation of Fascioloides magna and Strongyloides westeri infestation was seen in 23 % of the elephants. The EPG count in 3 samples was 100 eggs per gram with Fascioloides magna and 8 samples have Strongyloides westeri with EPG count of 200 eggs per gram. The research shows that parasitic prevalence was found significantly higher (chi-square value= 19.86, p< 0.01) in the elephants once suffered from tuberculosis. The foot infection was found significantly higher (chi-square value= 11.21, p< 0.05) in the elephants once suffered from tuberculosis. The parasitic prevalence was found significantly higher (chi-square value= 15.326, p< 0.01) in the elephants with poor BCS. Unhyenic stable with very poor urine drainage, dung storage very close to stable (less than 5 meter in most stable) are responsible for the parasitic infestation. Similarly, elephant drinking water in contaminated and untreated water from river, food providing directly in the floor are responsible for the high prevalence of parasite. However, EPG count is low because most of the elephants are provided with antihelminthic drugs regularly in the interval of six months. The prevalence rate of parasitic infestation was lower as compared to that observed by Karki (2007), Jani (2008) and Nishanth et. al. (2012). The comparatively lower prevalence rate of parasitic infestation is due to regular treatment with antihelminthics in majority of stables. However, egg per gram (EPG) was moderate as observed by Nishanth (2012). Parasitic infestation and BCS are significantly higher in TB patients compared to healthy animals which is due to immune – compromised state in TB patients.