Short communication Intestinal parasites in various animals at a zoo in Malaysia Y.A.L. Lim a, * , R. Ngui a , J. Shukri a , M. Rohela a , H.R. Mat Naim b a Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia b Hospital & Veterinary Services, Zoo Negara Malaysia, Ulu Klang 68000 Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Received 2 April 2008; received in revised form 11 July 2008; accepted 15 July 2008 Abstract A survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites from different groups of mammals housed in a zoological garden in Malaysia. A total of 197 faecal samples were collected randomly from various primates (99), hoofed mammals (70) and feline (28). It was discovered that 89.3% of feline, 54.5% of primates and 45.7% of hoofed mammals were infected with intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites found in primates were Balantidium coli (19.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (14.1%), hookworm (10.1%), Trichuris spp. (5.1%), Ascaris (4.0%) and Blastocystis spp. (2.0%). For hoofed mammals, hookworm had the highest prevalence (34.3%) followed by Trichuris spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. (5.7%). Meanwhile, for feline, Toxocara cati was the most prevalent (64.3%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (14.3%), Spirometra spp. (7.1%), and hookworm (3.6%). Animals that were infected were all asymptomatic with low parasite load. Routine monitoring of the presence of parasites in animals kept in the zoo is imperative in assisting zoo management in the formulation and implementation of preventive and control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among animals within the zoo or to humans. # 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Intestinal parasites; Zoo animals; Malaysia 1. Introduction In nature, wild animals live on large areas and have consequently a low genetic resistance against parasitic infections because of low exposure. When herds of these wild animals are kept in captivity in zoological gardens, the problem of parasitic infections can aggravate and pose a serious threat to endangered species, occasionally causing sudden and unexpected local declines in abundance (Muoria et al., 2005). Knowledge of their diseases needs to be gained, especially when bred for re-introduction in the wild. Unfortunately, there have been few detailed and comprehensive studies on the prevalence of the intestinal parasites in animals housed in zoological garden. Occurrence of parasites in animals housed in zoological gardens might vary according to the type of husbandry practices, disease prophylaxis and treatment administered. Intensive husbandry of ani- mals produces conditions which facilitates the spread of parasites. The frequent use of antihelmintics often cause resistant strains to evolve. Moreover, the nutritional status of captive animals can also enhance or diminish their resistance to disease (Geraghty et al., 1982). Therefore, this present study attempts to determine the occurrence and intensity of parasites in wild animals in captivity particularly the feline, hoofed mammals and primates. The finding of this study is essential for the development of a better understanding of the gastro- intestinal parasite fauna of these animals and for the www.elsevier.com/locate/vetpar Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Veterinary Parasitology 157 (2008) 154–159 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +603 79674748; fax: +603 79674754. E-mail address: limailian@um.edu.my (Y.A.L. Lim). 0304-4017/$ – see front matter # 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.07.015