Survey on prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in wild goats (Capra aegagrus) of Arasbaran National Park

Arasbaran National Park is the largest national park in the west of the country, which is the habitat of important animal and plant species. One of the most important animal species living in it is the wild goat (Capra aegagrus). The aim of this study was to determine the level of parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract goats of Arasbaran National Park. During 2018, 95 fecal samples were collected from the wild goats of Arasbaran National Park and were examined by direct smear and Clyton-Lane methods. Bearman apparatus was also used to identify the first stage larvae of pulmonary nematodes. Iodine and modified Nelson staining were used to diagnose Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections, respectively. All samples showed at least one worm agent and one protozoan infection. In this study, Eimeria (spp.) infection was observed in all fecal samples and infection with egg of Marshallagia marshalli (37.8%), Nematodirus (spp.) (60%), Trichioris ovis (62.1%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (8/37%), Fasciola hepatica (25.2%), Moniezia expansa (13.6%), Cystocaulus oecratus larvae (28.4%) and Giardia lambelia cyst (33.6%) were observed. Cryptosporidium oocysts were not observed in any of the stained stool samples. No significant relationship was found between infestation rate with different parasites and the sex of the infected animals. The high level of infection of parasites in wild goats of Arasbaran National Park indicates the high potential of parasitic infection and conversion of animals in it as a reservoir of parasites and its subsequent spread to other animals and expansion in neighboring human communities.