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Parasitas gastrointestinais em contexto zoológico : estudo de prevalência em felinos selvagens no jardim zoológico de Budapeste
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Os jardins zoológicos evoluíram de espaços de entretenimento e exibição de animais para instituições dedicadas à conservação, educação ambiental e promoção do bem-estar animal. Neste contexto, a monitorização sanitária, particularmente a deteção e prevenção de parasitas, assume grande relevância, não apenas para a saúde dos animais em cativeiro, como também para a dos animais de vida livre e para o ser humano, numa perspetiva de One Health. A transmissão parasitária pode ocorrer por diferentes vias, seja por contacto direto com visitantes e tratadores, pelo contacto com animais presentes nas imediações ou através de reinfeções ambientais, entre outros. Torna-se, por isso, essencial conhecer os ciclos parasitários e os respetivos hospedeiros, bem como definir e aplicar medidas adequadas de maneio, higienização e alimentação, de forma a reduzir a contaminação ambiental e a circulação destes agentes. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência parasitária em quatro espécies de felinos selvagens no Jardim Zoológico de Budapeste: leões asiáticos (Panthera leo persica), tigres-siberianos (Panthera tigris altaica), leopardos-da-pérsia (Panthera pardus saxicolor) e gato-de-pallas (Otocolobus manul). Para tal, foi recolhida uma amostra fecal representativa de cada espécie semanalmente, durante cinco semanas consecutivas, totalizando vinte amostras. Estas foram analisadas pelo método Mini-FLOTAC e observadas ao microscópio para identificação e contagem de ovos e oocistos. Os resultados revelaram uma prevalência global de 70%, com predominância de Eimeria spp. Embora, não tenham sido detetados parasitas nas amostras provenientes do gato-de-pallas, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris spp. e Capillaria spp. foram identificadas em pelo menos uma das restantes espécies. As infeções apresentaram baixa intensidade e, a ausência de alguns parasitas descritos na literatura sugere eficácia dos protocolos de desparasitação e maneio. Parte dos achados apontam para pseudoparasitismo decorrente da ingestão de presas ou de contaminação ambiental. Apesar das limitações inerentes ao número de amostras e ao período de recolha, este estudo contribui para o conhecimento parasitológico de felinos em cativeiro e fornece dados relevantes para a prática clínica em medicina veterinária e para a gestão de jardins zoológicos. Neste sentido, a monitorização parasitológica regular e a adaptação contínua das medidas de maneio e dieta constituem ferramentas essenciais para garantir o bem-estar dos animais em cativeiro e salvaguardar a saúde global
Zoos have evolved from spaces of animal exhibition and entertainment to institutions dedicated to the conservation of species, environmental education and animal welfare. In this context, health monitoring, particularly the detection and prevention of parasites, plays a key role, in safeguarding the health of both captive and wild animals, as well as humans, under the One Health concept. Parasites may be introduced through various routes, including contact with keepers and visitors, contact with free-roaming animals in surrounding areas, or through environmental reinfections. Therefore, it is essential to understand parasite life cycles and their hosts, as well as to define and implement appropriate management, hygiene, and feeding practices, to minimize environmental contamination and parasite circulation. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of parasites in four wild felid species housed at the Budapest Zoo: Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), and Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul). For this purpose, a representative faecal sample from each species was collected weekly over five consecutive weeks, totalling 20 samples. These were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC technique and examined under the microscope, for identification and counting of the eggs and oocysts. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 70%, with Eimeria spp. being the predominant parasite in all positive samples. Samples from Pallas’s cat showed no parasites, whereas Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris spp., and Capillaria spp. were detected in at least one of the remaining species. Infections were of low intensity and the absence of some parasites frequently reported in the literature suggests the effectiveness of current deworming and management protocols. Some findings may also be compatible with pseudoparasitism, associated with prey ingestion or environmental contamination. Despite limitations related to the small number of samples and the short collection period, this study contributes to the knowledge of parasitology in captive felids and provides relevant data for veterinary medicine and zoo management. In this context, regular parasitological monitoring and continuous adaptation of management and dietary measures are essential tools to ensure the welfare of captive animals and protect public health
Zoos have evolved from spaces of animal exhibition and entertainment to institutions dedicated to the conservation of species, environmental education and animal welfare. In this context, health monitoring, particularly the detection and prevention of parasites, plays a key role, in safeguarding the health of both captive and wild animals, as well as humans, under the One Health concept. Parasites may be introduced through various routes, including contact with keepers and visitors, contact with free-roaming animals in surrounding areas, or through environmental reinfections. Therefore, it is essential to understand parasite life cycles and their hosts, as well as to define and implement appropriate management, hygiene, and feeding practices, to minimize environmental contamination and parasite circulation. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of parasites in four wild felid species housed at the Budapest Zoo: Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), and Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul). For this purpose, a representative faecal sample from each species was collected weekly over five consecutive weeks, totalling 20 samples. These were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC technique and examined under the microscope, for identification and counting of the eggs and oocysts. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 70%, with Eimeria spp. being the predominant parasite in all positive samples. Samples from Pallas’s cat showed no parasites, whereas Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris spp., and Capillaria spp. were detected in at least one of the remaining species. Infections were of low intensity and the absence of some parasites frequently reported in the literature suggests the effectiveness of current deworming and management protocols. Some findings may also be compatible with pseudoparasitism, associated with prey ingestion or environmental contamination. Despite limitations related to the small number of samples and the short collection period, this study contributes to the knowledge of parasitology in captive felids and provides relevant data for veterinary medicine and zoo management. In this context, regular parasitological monitoring and continuous adaptation of management and dietary measures are essential tools to ensure the welfare of captive animals and protect public health
Descrição
Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária, área científica de Sanidade Animal
Palavras-chave
Parasitas Felinos Jardim zoológico Monitorização One Health Parasites Felids Zoo Monitoring One Health