STUDY OF ENDOPARASITIC INFECTION OF PRZEWALSKI HORSES

Abstract

A total of 61 faecal samples were collected from Przewalski horses in Hortobágy National Park, Hungary and examined with flotation, Proudman, larva culture and modified Baermann methods. The strongyle type eggs occurred in 61 faeces. All horses were infected with small strongyles. The L3 of Strongylus vulgaris and Strongylus equinus were found in 6 (9.84%) and 10 (16.40%) samples, respectively. The third large strongyle species, Strongylus edentatus was detected in three samples (4.90%.). One horse was infected with S. vulgaris and S. equinus. The tapeworm eggs occurred in the samples of 5 (8.20%) horses. These findings provide newer valuable insight into the parasitic burdens of untreated Przewalski horses kept in Hortobágy.