ENDOPARASITISM AND EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC EFFICACY IN CAPTIVE LIONS (PANTHERA LEO PERSICA) AT ARIGNAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK, VANDALUR, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU

A study was conducted to assess the incidence of endoparasitism and evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs administered to captive lions housed at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Tamil Nadu. A total of 10 scat samples were collected from captive lions during June-August, 2024. All the samples were examined by standard qualitative methods (direct smear, centrifugal sedimentation and floatation methods) followed by quantitative method (McMaster technique) to determine egg per gram. All the samples (n=10) showed 100% incidence of Toxascaris leonina. Efficacy of two anthelmintic drugs were evaluated by using faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). The efficacy of ivermectin was recorded only 10.21% and found to be resistant. Fenbendazole demonstrated 100% efficacy, indicating susceptibility of the parasite to this drug.