Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in endangered captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) of Chitwan National Park in Nepal

A cross-sectional study of 103 captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, revealed a 47.57% prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, with nematodes being the most common (61.22%). Key findings include significant differences in parasite prevalence between females (39.80%) and males (7.76%), as well as correlations with age and deworming history. The study used microscopic identification methods to quantify infections, finding that 87.75% of positive cases had mild infections (100-500 eggs per gram). These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to manage parasitic infestations in endangered captive elephants.

Dahal, G., Sadaula, A., Gautam, M., Magar, A. R., & Adhikari, S. (2023). Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in endangered captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) of Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science, 8(3), 290–294. https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2023.080303