Long‐term monitoring of endoparasites in birds‐of‐paradise at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Doha

Abstract

We evaluated results of over 4400 documented faecal parasitological examinations between 2000 and 2007 in more than 90 individuals of six species of Birds of Paradise (BoP). Between 2000 and 2007, 83.2% of investigated samples were negative for parasites, and the number of negative samples increased consistently over the years; in positive samples, the proportion of Capillaria sp decreased (from 100% to 4.8%) and that of Coccidia sp increased (from 0% to 67.5%). Differences in prevalence of endoparasites between species, epidemiological units (houses) and sexes were found. The Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleuca, which has the highest reported proportion of insects in its natural diet, had the highest prevalence of tapeworms, indicating a high propensity to ingest intermediate hosts. Coccidia sp were particularly prevalent in an epidemiological unit with high exposure to free-ranging birds. The number of offspring per female and year correlated with the percentage of negative samples taken in the according year and species. The results indicate that consistent antiparasitic management leads to a reduction of parasite species; that parasites with intermediate hosts are more difficult to control; that exposure to free-ranging birds should be minimized; and that a tight antiparasitic management potentially contributes to the improved breeding success in bird species. to free-ranging birds should be minimized; and that a tight antiparasitic management potentially contributes to the improved breeding success in bird species. Long-term monitoring of endoparasites in captive birds-of-paradise at Right-hand running title: PARASITES IN BIRDS-OF-PARADISE Left

Renal trematode infection due to Paratanaisia bragai in zoo housed Columbiformes and a red bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea rubra)

“…Praziquantel has a narrow spectrum of activity against trematodes, and was deemed the most effective treatment at removing a heavy burden without endangering the bird. There have been no adverse reactions observed with this dosage in other bird-of-paradise species (Hammer, pers comm; Zerbe et al, 2009 ) or Columbiformes (author’s clinical experience). The birds remain clinically healthy, but the actual efficacy of this medication remains undetermined.…”

“…Endoparasite infections have been investigated in birds-of-paradise, both in ex-situ captivity ( Zerbe et al, 2009 ) and in situ captivity ( Varghese, 1987 ), but renal trematodes have not been previously reported.…”

“…However, the female red bird-of-paradise may have been specifically looking for snails to eat. This species is known to have a smaller intake of invertebrates in its day-to-day diet, compared with other bird-of-paradise species ( Zerbe et al, 2009 ). Invertebrate ingestion is anecdotally a common finding around nesting time in this species ( Worth et al, 1990 ), and contributes to increased mineral intake, particularly calcium.…”

Fecal parasite risk in the endangered proboscis monkey is higher in an anthropogenically managed forest environment compared to a riparian rain forest in Sabah, Borneo

“…Important management tools to face helminth infections comprise a consistent, noninvasive endoparasite monitoring to identify pathogenic parasites together with a targeted antiparasitic treatment which can reduce parasite infestation and may support breeding success [ 67 ]. For different nonhuman primate hosts, effective anthelmintic regimes against detected species are available [ 45 ] and strongly suggested to improve welfare.…”