Abstract

Walia ibex (Capra walie) is critically endangered ungulate which is found in the Simen Mountains National Park (SMNP), northern Ethiopia. This study was conducted from February to August, 2011to determine the prevalence of helminth parasites of this animal. A total 167 faecal samples were collected and examined by floatation, sedimentation and Baermann techniques. The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 85.63% (143/167). Of this, 85.03% were nematodes and 7.18% cestodes. The eggs of trematode species (spp) were not encountered. The helminth parasites detected were strongyle spp. (78.44%), Nematodirus spp. (14.97%), Moniezia spp. (7.19%), Strongyloides spp. (5.39%), Trichuris spp. (4.19%), Ascaris spp (2.99%) and lungworms (26.35%). The genera of lungworms encountered were Dictyocaulus, Muellerius and Protostrongylus. Of all positive animals, 78.43% were infected with two or more type of parasites whereas 11.76% were harbouring only one parasitic species. The present results indicated that the infections caused by helminth pasites are significantly common in Walia ibex which necessitates further studies to design appropriate worm control strategies.

Keywords:

Ethiopia, helminths, prevalence, SMNP, walia ibex,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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