Epidemiology and control of nematode parasites in a collection of captive exotic ungulates

Parasitism by strongylate nematodes has been a continuing concern in exotic ungulates kept in large multispecies enclosures at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. In an attempt to evaluate and modify the existing control program, 9 species of the subfamilies Antilopinae and Hippotraginae were followed over a 2-year period to monitor levels of nematode egg shedding and response to two different doses (114g/ton feed, 228g/ton feed) of fenbendazole milled in pelleted feed, Paired pretreatment and posttreatment faecal samples were obtained at six treatment periods from individually identified animals for faecal egg counts. For 1 year Persian gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) were intensively monitored by performing egg counts and pasture larval counts at 3-week intervals. Over all 9 ungulate species, fenbendazole treatment was associated with a significant reduction in faecal egg counts. Response to the two anthelmintic doses was not significantly different. Time series analysis with cross-correlation indicated that faecal egg counts significantly influenced the larval counts 6 weeks later.