A study on the gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) of wild animals found within the surrounding forests of Zuku and Rumfan Gwamna villages in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Parasitic infections of wild animals can lead to the death of the affected animals tending towards extinction and act as a predisposing factor for the development of secondary infectious diseases. Infected animals serve as source of infection to other wildlife and zoonosis to human. This study was carried out to determine the gastrointestinal parasites of wild animals found within the forests of Zuku and Rumfan Gwamna villages in Bassa LGA. 238 fresh faecal samples were collected from wild animals found within the forests. The samples were each prepared using direct wet mount, sedimentation and floatation techniques, and staining method. From the number examined, 227 (95.38%) samples were positive for GIP infection. Nematodes were the most prevalence (64.84%) with Ascaris lumbricoides being the highest species (46.64%), while trematodes had the least prevalence (11.45%). Age and sex had no significant effect in the parasite’s infection except Trichostrongylus retotaeformis which had significant difference (p<0.05). Among the animals infected, Giant rats was most prevalent (100%) followed by Squirrel had (94.14%), while the Adamawa turtle doves had the lowest infection (89.66 %). The result of this study shows higher prevalence of GIP infection, and presence of various genera in the study area. Hence, more study is necessary to identify the species of parasites in animals within the study area. Deworming of wild animals in the forests with broad spectrum anthelmintic is recommended to prevent zoonotic infections of people living in the communities.