Status of helminths in birds kept in Zoological Park, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Helminths are associated with parasitism for both man and animals causing serious diseases and even mortality. This study assessed the presence and status of helminth infections in birds kept at the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Zoo Park. Early morning freshly voided faecal samples were collected from cages of 7 different species of birds namely White Geese, Mallard Duck, Crowned Crane, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Common Ostrich, Grey Parrot, and the Barn Owl. The samples were processed using Sodium acetate-Acid-Formalin ether concentration method and examined for intestinal ova under the microscope. The type of intestinal helminthes and weekly egg counts were analysed. Five genera of gastrointestinal parasites were identified, these are; Ascaridia, Ascaris, Capillaria, Strongyloides and Rallietina. Ostrich, Owl and Mallard ducks were infected with three different parasites at different collection week and mixed infection was observed for Ostrich and Owl. The helminth with the highest prevalence of 57.1% was Capillaria spp occurring in most of the surveyed birds. It is advised that the hygiene level of the birds’ cages be improved to upon to reduce the level of infection among the birds in the FUNAAB Zoo Park.