Implementation and evaluation of a strategic parasite control program for captive exotic ungulates

A parasite control programme was designed for > 1200 exotic ungulates maintained in mixed species enclosures at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Three strategically-timed anthelmintic treatments were given during 1988-1989, and their success was measured by monitoring faecal egg counts before and after treatment. Adequate parasite control was achieved for animals in 52 ungulate species, as evidenced by low pretreatment egg counts and the absence of egg-shedding after treatment. However, animals belonging to 11 species in the subfamilies Antilopinae, Hippotraginae, and Caprinae were identified as important targets for more intensive control efforts because they shed either > 100 eggs/g of faeces before treatment, or eggs in faeces after treatment, at 2 or more sampling periods. It was concluded that these results and observations could be used to generate management recommendations and illustrate how a model parasite control programme can be developed for collections of exotic ungulates.