Abstract

The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of parasites in Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park in Bauchi State, Nigeria was investigated by analysis of blood, faeces and ticks collected from 106 wildlife including 4 elephants (Loxodonta africana), 11 waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymus), 1 hartbeest (Alcelaphus baselaphus caama), 24 elands (Taurotragus oryx), 53 zebras (Equus quagga crawshayi), 1 kudu (Tragelaphus streptsiceros) and 12 wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). Blood samples were examined for haemoparasites by classical parasitological techniques i.e Geimsa’s stained thin, thick and buffy coat blood smear. Whereas faecal samples were examined for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites using floatation and sedimentation techniques while ticks were identified morphologically. Overall prevalence of haemoparasites was fifty six percent (56%). The identified haemoparasites were Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, Trypanosoma spp and Ehrlichia ruminantium. Haemoparasites identified alone or in combination with others had a significant (P

Key words: Parasites, Wildlife, Yankari Game Reserve, Sumu Wildlife Park, Bauchi State, Nigeria