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.
Lain et al. (Thu,) studied this question.