Ectoparasites and gastrointestinal parasites of nomadic cattle infiltrating into Kainji Lake National Park Nigeria.

Abstract

The examination of 317 nomadic cattle infiltrating into the Kainji Lake National Park revealed seven tick species, Ambylomma variegatum, Boophilus decolaratus, B. annulatus, Hylomma aegyptium, Rhipicephalus appendiculata?, R. everti, R. simus senegalensis, one mite Demodex bovis and a lice species Damalina bovis. These ectoparasites have the ability of attaching to wild animals of the park in particular the two host and three host tick species Hylomma sp., Rhipicephalus spp. and Ambylomma sp. The endoparasites include nine nematodes species, five trematodes and eimeria sp. The occurrence of these endoparasites is an indication of the risk of cross-infection because similar helminth fauna have been reported in wild animals of the park. It is concluded that the need to prevent entry of cattle into the park should be encouraged because of the pasture contamination and potential risk of cross parasitic infection between the domestic cattle and wild animals of the park.