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Berentsen, A.R.; Becker, M.S.; Stockdale-Walden, H.; Matandiko, W.; McRobb, R.; Dunbar, M.R.
Survey of gastrointestinal parasite infection in African lion (_Panthera leo_), African wild dog (_Lycaon pictus_) and spotted hyaena (_Crocuta crocuta_) in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia
2012  African Zoology (47): 363-368

Little is known about gastrointestinal parasite infections in large carnivores in Africa and what is available is largely from East Africa. We collected faecal samples from nine spotted hyaenas (_Crocuta crocuta_), 15 lions (_Panthera leo_) and 13 African wild dog (_Lycaon pictus_) from Luangwa Valley, Zambia. The most common gastrointestinal parasites found were Isospora spp., Spirometra sp., _Taeniidae_ and_ Sarcosystis_ spp. Twenty-eight per cent of all samples were co-infected with _Spirometra_ sp. and _Taeniidae_, with co-infection rates highest among lions (67%). Thirty-three per cent (3/9) of spotted hyaenas were infected with Isospora sp. Ninety-two per cent (12/13) of wild dog were infected with Sarcocystis, similar to results from studies in South Africa. One lion was infected with a parasite whose morphology suggested Strongyloides sp., not previously been reported in lions. Samples from one lion and two spotted hyaenas yielded no gastrointestinal parasites. Overall, parasite species were consistent with those found from studies in other regions of Africa and are likely a result of ingesting infected prey. To our knowledge this study provides the most comprehensive survey of gastrointestinal parasite infection in large carnivores from this region of Africa to date and provides baseline data for future studies.

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