Incidence of Endoparasitic Infestation in Free-Ranging and Captive Asian Elephants of Odisha

Biswal Chichilichi; Chitta Ranjan Pradhan; Lakshman Kumar Babu; Niranjan Sahoo; Mitra Ranjan Panda; Sumanta Kumar Mishra; Kumaresh Behera; Abinash Das; Ananta Hembram

Authors

Biswal Chichilichi Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Chitta Ranjan Pradhan Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Lakshman Kumar Babu Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Niranjan Sahoo Department of Epidemiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine , College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Mitra Ranjan Panda Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Sumanta Kumar Mishra Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Kumaresh Behera Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA
Abinash Das Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Govt. of Odisha
Ananta Hembram Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, INDIA

Keywords:

Endoparasitic Infestation, Asian Elephant, Faecal, Free Ranging, Captive, Seasonal Influence

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of endoparasitic infestation in free ranging and captive Asian elephants in Odisha covering three seasons namely, summer (April-June), rainy (July-September) and winter (November-January). The locations were Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, Khordha; Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, Angul; Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Mayurbhanj for free-ranging, and Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar for captive elephants. Faecal samples were analysed by direct smear method, sedimentation technique and floatation method. The captive location showed a markedly lower endoparasitic infestation rate than any of the free-range locations, in every season; the differences being significant (P≤0.01) in summer and rainy only. Thus, as regards to the seasonal influence, for each of the free-range and captive locations, the highest rate of infestation was observed in summer followed by rainy and winter.