Investigating Seasonal and Host Sex-Age Effects on Endoparasites in a Captive population of the Vulnerable Barbary sheep (North Algeria).

This study examines the seasonal and host sex-age effects on endoparasite infections in a captive population of Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) at the Ben Aknoun zoological park, Algiers, northern Algeria. A total of 440 faecal samples were collected from May 2024 to April 2025 and processed using direct smears and a modified McMaster flotation technique. Parasite prevalence and intensity were analysed using generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs), followed by Tukey-adjusted pairwise comparisons between seasons and host sex-age classes. Microscopic examinations revealed nematodes (strongyles and Strongyloides sp.), cestodes (Moniezia sp. and Taenia sp.), and protozoa (Eimeria spp. and Balantidium sp.). Overall parasite prevalence was high (72.05±2.14%) ranging from 68.75 ±4.38% in summer to 74.07±4.22 % in spring. Strongyles (47.05±2.38%) and Eimeria spp. (46.59±2.38%) were the most prevalent, while Strongyloides sp. showed the lowest prevalence (10.45±1.46%). Overall parasite prevalence did not vary significantly among seasons or sex-age groups (p > 0.05 for all seasonal and sex-age class contrasts), however, Eimeria spp. and Balantidium sp. prevalence showed significant seasonal differences, both peaking in the wet season. Intensity varied significantly between sex-age classes for Moniezia sp. with adult animals having higher mean egg counts than juveniles; and for Balantidium sp. with males having higher mean cyst counts than females and juveniles. Parasitological surveillance especially of vulnerable host classes during periods of risk, anti-parasitic treatments based on confirmed infection cases, and improved enclosure hygiene are needed to preserve animal health and to support conservation efforts for this threatened ungulate species.