RT Journal Article
T1 Wild animals in captivity: an analysis of parasite biodiversity and transmission among animals at two zoological institutions with different typologies
A1 Ponce Gordo, Francisco
A1 García Rodríguez, Juan José
A1 Esteban Sanchez, Lorena
A1 Garcia Garcia, Juncal
A1 Martinez Nevado, Eva
A1 de la Riva Fraga, Manuel Antonio
AB We have conducted a 10-year-long coprological study of the animals housed in two zoological institutions (ZooAquarium and Faunia, Madrid, Spain) to assess the parasite biodiversity, prevalence, and their relation with host class, diet, and enclosure type (soil type and level of isolation from wild fauna). A total of 4476 faecal samples from 132 mammal species and 951 samples from 86 avian species were examined. The results indicated that only 12.8% of avian species had parasites at least once during the study period, whereas 62.1% of mammal species tested positive. Predominantly, protists (Entamoeba, flagellates, and ciliates) and nematodes (mainly Trichuris) were identified in the findings. Carnivorous species were primarily infected by nematodes, while herbivorous and omnivorous species were mainly infected by protists. The number of infected herbivorous and omnivorous species was significantly greater than carnivorous species. Differences were observed based on soil type (artificial, natural, mixed) and isolation level (isolated/accessible), but these differences were not statistically significant. Several parasites (Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., Balantidoides coli, Trichuris spp.) could potentially be transmitted between humans and some mammals and birds. Regular animal analyses and a personnel health program in the institutions would minimise transmission risks between zoo animals, wildlife, and humans.
PB Mdpi
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/114641
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/114641
LA eng
NO Esteban-Sánchez, L.; García-Rodríguez, J.J.; García-García, J.; Martínez-Nevado, E.; de la Riva-Fraga, M.A.; Ponce-Gordo, F. Wild Animals in Captivity: An Analysis of Parasite Biodiversity and Transmission among Animals at Two Zoological Institutions with Different Typologies. Animals 2024, 14, 813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050813
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025