A Coprological Investigation of Endoparasites in One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) Outside the Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

INTRODUCTION

The One-HornedRhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) is a vulnerable species that inhabits the lowlands of Nepal. With the existence of several threatening factors, such as poaching, natural disasters, food toxicity, and diseases, their survival and overall health are continuously threatened. In this context, diseases caused by intestinal parasites can serve as a warning sign. However, the occurrence of parasite types and the predicted impacts of parasitism in these megaherbivores remained unclear and questionable in Nepal.

AIMS: The current study aimed to determine the presence of endoparasites (protozoa and helminths) inhabiting these hosts, which naturally live freely outside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in Central Nepal.

METHODOLOGY: Sixty fresh fecal samples (N = 60) from five different sampling locations along the nearby territories were collected opportunistically using noninvasive methods and transported to the research laboratory. Coproscopy was carried out following standard protocols and laboratory techniques, including direct wet mount, concentration, and acid-fast staining methods.

RESULTS

The results showed a 100% prevalence rate, with 16 species of intestinal parasites (Protozoa: 5; Helminths: 11). Furthermore, the chi-square (χ 2) goodness-of-fit test indicated a statistical difference between the frequencies of protozoan (16.7%) and helminth (98.3%) detections (p < 0.05, χ 2 = 5.04, degree of freedom = 1). Entamoeba sp. and Eimeria spp. were the most frequently recorded protozoa, while Anoplocephala spp. and Strongyle were the most frequently recorded helminths. Additionally, monoparasitic infection was not observed, and quadruplet infection (coinfection with four parasite species) represented the most prevalent pattern (25%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to document protozoan and helminth diversity and multiparasitism in free-ranging rhinos outside protected areas in Nepal. Our findings of 100% prevalence and 16 diverse parasite taxa highlight the need for urgent antiparasitic drug treatment for those rhino populations.