Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Red Pandas From Community Forests of Eastern Nepal.

BACKGROUND

Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), an endangered and elusive species, inhabit fragmented Himalayan forests where exposure to contaminated environments may increase intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). Despite their conservation importance, IPIs data from eastern Nepal and on infection intensity remain scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This study provides one of the first systematic assessments of IPIs prevalence, diversity, and intensity in wild red pandas using 36 faecal samples collected from community forests of Suryodaya Municipality, Ilam, Nepal.

METHODS

Fresh faecal samples were examined using direct wet mount and concentration techniques, and infection intensity was graded on the basis of ova per microscopic field.

RESULTS

Overall, 66.7% (24/36) of the samples were positive for at least one parasite. Helminthic infections (75%) were more common than protozoan infections (50%), and mixed infections occurred in 45.8% of the cases. Single infections (n = 13) included Eimeria spp. (15.38%), Entamoeba spp. (7.69%), Trichuris spp. (7.69%), Trichostrongylus spp. (7.69%), Strongyloides spp. (15.38%), Ascarid (23.08%), Capillaria spp. (7.69%), and Strongyle (15.38%). The mixed infections (n = 11) involved complex combinations of protozoa and helminths, with up to four infections observed. The intensity data revealed species-specific patterns: Eimeria spp. ranged from light (27.3%) to heavy (9.1%), whereas nematodes such as Strongyloides, Capillaria, and Strongyle were detected only as light infections.

CONCLUSION

These findings, on the basis of rare and valuable samples, provide critical baseline data on the IPI burden and intensity in red pandas. This evidence is essential for designing targeted health interventions and conservation strategies to safeguard this endangered species.