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Neotropical Helminthology, 2026, vol. 20 (2), 271-279
ORIGINAL ARTICLE / ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL
GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN LARGE FELINES AT THE
MOROLEÓN ZOO, GREEN AREAS OF GUANAJUATO, MEXICO
PARÁSITOS GASTROINTESTINALES EN GRANDES FELINOS DEL PARQUE
ZOOLÓGICO DE MOROLEÓN ÁREAS VERDES DE GUANAJUATO, MÉXICO
Mario Loya-Bautista1, Juan Jiménez-Diego1, Mauro Sanvicente-López1, Andrés Alberto Ruiz-Rosiles2, Alejandra
Ramírez-Ortega2, Nicodemo Reyes Hernández-García3, Maylin Almonte-Becerril4, Alejandro Besné-Mérida5,
José Iannacone6,7 & María Amparo Rodríguez-Santiago6,7,8,9,10*
ISSN Versión Impresa 2218-6425 ISSN Versión Electrónica 1995-1403
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62429/rnh20262022205
Este artículo es publicado por la revista Neotropical Helminthology de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemática, Universidad Nacional Federico
Villarreal, Lima, Perú auspiciado por la Asociación Peruana de Helmintología e Invertebrados Afi nes (APHIA). Este es un artículo de acceso abierto,
distribuido bajo los términos de la licencia Creative Commons Atribución 4.0 Internacional (CC BY 4.0) [https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
deed.es] que permite el uso, distribución y reproducción en cualquier medio, siempre que la obra original sea debidamente citada de su fuente original.
1 Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Interserrana del Estado de Puebla-Ahuacatlán (UIEPA).
2 Parque Zoológico de Moroleón Áreas Verdes. Moroleón – Guanajuato – México.
3 Centro de Estudios Superiores de Tepeaca (CEST).
4 Universidad de la Salud (UNISA), Ciudad de México – México.
5 Clínica Veterinaria Medicina Veterinaria Complementaria.
6 Grupo de Investigación en Sostenibilidad Ambiental (GISA), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemática, Universidad
Nacional Federico Villarreal – Lima – Perú.
7 Laboratorio de Zoología. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación “One Health”. Universidad Ricardo
Palma.
8 Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Estación “El Carmen”, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad del
Carmen – Campeche – México.
9 Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación, Ciudad de México – México.
10 Núcleo Académico Básico, Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad
Autónoma del Carmen, Cd. del Carmen – Campeche – México.
* Corresponding author: marodriguezsa@secihti.mx
Mario Loya-Bautista: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9970-9194
Andrés Alberto Ruiz-Rosiles: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1710-0315
Alejandra Ramírez-Ortega https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5994-9069
Mauro Sanvicente-López: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7415-7473
Juan Jiménez-Diego: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0027-2008
Nicodemo Reyes Hernández-García: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8300-5090
Maylin Almonte-Becerril: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1552-5961
Alejandro Besné-Mérida: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7013-4595
José Iannacone: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3699-4732
María Amparo Rodríguez-Santiago: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0616-237X
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ABSTRACT
Zoos and wildlife conservation centers play a fundamental role in protecting a wide range of species. erefore, monitoring
the health of animals under human care is essential to ensure their welfare and support conservation efforts. In this study,
gastrointestinal parasites were identified in captive felids housed at the Moroleón Áreas Verdes Zoo Park in Guanajuato,
Mexico. In June 2025, a total of 32 fecal samples were collected from 16 felids housed in seven enclosures, including
Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758), Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758), Panthera leo krugeri (Roberts, 1929), Panthera onca
(Linnaeus, 1758), Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771), and Lynx rufus (Schreber, 1777). e samples were examined using
conventional coproparasitological techniques to detect and identify eggs, larvae, oocysts, and other parasitic stages. Structures
morphologically consistent with cestode and ascarid eggs were detected. ese findings provide useful information on the
gastrointestinal parasites present in captive felids and highlight the importance of implementing periodic parasitological
surveillance programs to characterize the epidemiology of parasitic infections in these species in Mexico. By promoting
animal health and welfare through this type of monitoring, the Moroleón Áreas Verdes Zoo Park demonstrates its
commitment to generating information on the health status of the exotic and wild species housed at the facility.
Keywords: ascarids – captive felids – Cestodes – coproparasitology – gastrointestinal parasites – Mexico – zoo
RESUMEN
Los zoológicos y centros de conservación desempeñan un papel fundamental en la protección de diversas especies, por lo
que es importante monitorear la salud de los animales bajo cuidado humano para garantizar su bienestar y su conservación.
En este estudio se identificaron parásitos gastrointestinales en grandes felinos en cautiverio, en el Parque Zoológico de
Moroleón Áreas Verdes de Guanajuato, México. En junio de 2025, se recolectaron 32 muestras fecales de 16 felinos
alojados en siete recintos, correspondientes a [Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758), Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758), Panthera
leo krugeri (Roberts, 1929), Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758), Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) y Lynx rufus (Schreber,
1777)]. Las muestras se analizaron mediante técnicas coproparasitoscópicas convencionales para detectar e identificar
huevos, larvas, ooquistes y otras formas parasitarias. Se encontraron estructuras compatibles con huevos de parásitos
de cestodos y sacáridos. Estos resultados ofrecen información útil sobre los parásitos presentes en grandes felinos en
cautiverio y resaltan la importancia de implementar programas periódicos de vigilancia parasitológica para establecer la
epidemiología parasitaria de estas especies en México. Al garantizar el bienestar animal en los centros de conservación, el
Parque Zoológico de Moroleón Áreas Verdes demuestra su compromiso e interés en generar información sobre la salud
de estas especies exóticas y salvajes que se encuentran en sus instalaciones.
Palabras clave: ascáridos – Cestodos – coproparasitología – felinos en cautiverio – México – parásitos gastrointestinales
– zoológico
INTRODUCTION
e relationship between humans and wild animals in
captivity has undergone significant evolution, reflecting
changes in social, ethical, and scientific values. Initially, zoos
were established primarily for entertainment purposes and
as symbols of social status. However, with scientific progress,
society now recognizes these spaces as conservation centers
whose main objectives are the protection of threatened
species, environmental education, scientific research, and
recreation (Beer et al., 2023).
Within this context, large felids occupy a prominent place
in zoological parks, as they represent one of the groups
most visited and valued by the public (Carr, 2016). is
has driven the implementation of strategies aimed at
promoting their welfare, including environmental and
sensory enrichment (Mazzuca et al., 2023). However,
ensuring the welfare of these species is not limited to
behavioral management but also requires active monitoring
of their health status. Among the main threats to captive
felids are gastrointestinal parasitic diseases, which are often
asymptomatic but may be associated with high morbidity.
erefore, their timely detection is essential for establishing
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appropriate clinical and epidemiological management
(Panayotova-Pencheva, 2013; Kvapil et al., 2017; Sangpeng
et al., 2023).
In this context, infectious and parasitic diseases in wildlife
are of particular interest due to their direct and indirect
effects on animal populations, their epidemiological
relevance, and their health implications (Kołodziej-
Sobocińska, 2019; Salvarani et al., 2025).
Parasites can generally cause severe damage, with the
severity and risk varying according to several factors,
including the parasite species, its location within the host,
and the host’s living conditions (Kołodziej-Sobocińska,
2019). Likewise, certain conditions associated with animals
maintained under human care, such as the accumulation
of infective stages in enclosures, frequent contact with
contaminated surfaces, animal density, and stress, may
favor the transmission and persistence of some parasitic
infections (Dhakal et al., 2022). Chronic stress associated
with captivity may also alter the immune response and
increase the susceptibility of some animals to infections,
although its effect varies among species and management
conditions (Fischer & Romero, 2019).
Several studies have reported parasitic infections in felids
under human care. In zoos in ailand, an epidemiological
surveillance study recorded an overall prevalence of intestinal
parasites of 23.7% in captive felids, with lions [Panthera leo
(Linnaeus, 1758)] being the most affected group, reaching a
positivity rate of up to 68.75% (Hongsrichan et al., 2025).
Similarly, in African lions kept in a park in Zimbabwe,
Toxascaris leonina (von Linstow, 1902) was detected in
43.3% of individuals and Toxocara cati (Schrank, 1788)
in 40% (Mukarati et al., 2013). In Latin America, a study
conducted in Brazil reported an ascarid prevalence of
51.04% in captive animals (Da Silva et al., 2025), whereas
in Mexico, an evaluation of captive carnivorous mammals
showed a prevalence of 46.15%, with Toxascaris sp. being
the most frequent genus (Beltrán-León et al., 2022). ese
findings confirm that gastrointestinal parasitic infections are
common and widely distributed in zoological collections
across different regions of the world. Moreover, because
many of these parasites have a high capacity for direct
and indirect transmission, they may cause environmental
contamination within enclosures and affect other species
(Quintero-Cusguen et al., 2021).
Despite their public health and zoonotic relevance, few
studies have focused on evaluating the prevalence of
these infections. A previous study conducted in Morelia,
Michoacán, assessed the presence of gastrointestinal
parasites using coproparasitological analyses and flotation
techniques (García-Borja, 2016). However, in the state of
Guanajuato, information on the epidemiology of parasitic
diseases in captive large felids remains scarce, representing
a knowledge gap for conservation and animal health
management in zoological institutions.
is lack of data highlights the need to implement periodic
parasitological surveillance programs to characterize the
epidemiology of these infections, prevent their transmission,
and guide control strategies. erefore, the present study
aimed to identify the gastrointestinal parasites present
in large felids under human care at the Moroleón Áreas
Verdes Zoological Park, Guanajuato, using conventional
coproparasitological techniques, in order to generate
epidemiological information useful for health surveillance,
animal welfare, and the conservation of these species in
Mexico.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
e study was conducted at the Moroleón Áreas Verdes
Zoological Park, located on the Moroleón–Piñícuaro
highway, in the municipality of Moroleón, Guanajuato,
Mexico (20°07′52.1″ N, 101°11′02.0″ W). is center
operates as a facility for the care and protection of wildlife,
where animals receive food, veterinary care, and specialized
monitoring.
e work carried out at the zoological park contributes to
conservation by allowing the evaluation of the potential
reintegration of some individuals into their natural habitat.
When this is not feasible, the animals are transferred to
other suitable facilities where they can continue to receive
proper housing, management, and specialized care.
Animals and study design
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted
involving 16 large felids under human care, housed in
seven enclosures within the park: enclosure 1, four lions
[Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758)]; enclosure 2, one white
tiger [Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758)]; enclosure 3, three
white lions [Panthera leo krugeri (Roberts, 1929)]; enclosure
4, three Bengal tigers [Panthera tigris tigris (Linnaeus,
1758)]; enclosure 5, two jaguars [(Panthera onca (Linnaeus,
1758)]; enclosure 6, two pumas [Puma concolor (Linnaeus,
1771)]; and enclosure 7, one bobcat [Lynx rufus (Schreber,
1777)]. e spatial distribution of individuals by enclosure
is shown in Figure 1.
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Sample collection
In June 2025, a total of 32 fresh fecal samples were collected
from 16 large felids under human care, with two samples
obtained per individual. Samples were collected directly
from the substrate in each enclosure by carefully taking
the upper portion of the fecal material to minimize
contamination with soil or other debris. Approximately
50 g of feces were collected from each sample and placed
in airtight glass containers, which were properly labeled
with the individual and enclosure identification.
e samples were then transported to the Veterinary
Medicine and Animal Science facilities of the Universidad
Interserrana del Estado de Puebla, Ahuacatlán (UIEPA),
maintaining the cold chain until processing. e general
study procedure included a field phase for sample collection,
a laboratory phase for the processing and identification of
parasites, and a data analysis phase for recording, analyzing,
and interpreting the information. is procedure is
summarized in the flowchart shown in Figure 2.
Processing and coproparasitological techniques
Each sample was processed using three conventional
coproparasitological techniques: direct smear, flotation
with saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, and
sedimentation, following the general procedures described
by Bowman (2021) and Ibarra-Velarde et al. (2023). e
preparations were examined under a light microscope using
10× and 40× objectives to detect and identify different
parasitic forms, including eggs, larvae, oocysts, and other
structures. e combined use of the three techniques
allowed their performance to be compared in terms of
the recovery and preservation of parasitic structures (Ibarra-
Velarde et al., 2023).
Parasite identification
e identification of parasitic forms was based on their
morphological and morphometric characteristics, including
shape, size, color, and features of the outer covering or
membranes, and by comparison with reference keys and
descriptions (Bowman, 2021). Findings were recorded at
the genus or family level, depending on the taxonomic
resolution achieved through microscopic observation. Given
the zoonotic potential of several of these parasitic infections,
the presence of any structure compatible with a parasite
of public health importance was considered sufficient to
recommend the implementation of antiparasitic control
strategies.
Figure 1. Spatial distribution of the large felids included in the coproparasitological study conducted in June 2025 at
the Moroleón Áreas Verdes Zoological Park, Guanajuato, Mexico. e animals were housed in seven enclosures arranged
around a common central area, which included resting and environmental enrichment zones.
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Data analysis
e data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A sample
was considered positive when at least one parasitic form
was observed. Prevalence was calculated as the number
of positive individuals or enclosures divided by the total
number examined and expressed as a percentage. Results
were organized by enclosure and species and are presented
in tables and figures.
Ethical considerations
T
he study was conducted through the non-invasive
collection of fecal samples from felids kept in captivity at
the Moroleón Áreas Verdes Zoological Park. No capture,
restraint, sedation, direct handling, or experimental
procedures were performed on the animals. Sample
collection was carried out with authorization and under
the supervision of the personnel responsible for the
zoological center, following its internal protocols for
animal management, biosecurity, and welfare. Due to
the non-invasive nature of the sampling procedure, the
study did not alter the animals’ routine, feeding, or housing
conditions.
Figure 2. Flow diagram of the activities performed during the coproparasitological study of large felids under human
care. e methodology included three stages: 1) a field phase, corresponding to fecal sample collection; 2) a laboratory
phase, focused on the processing and identification of parasites through microscopic analyses; and 3) a data analysis phase,
aimed at recording, analyzing, and interpreting the generated information.
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RESULTS
The analyses showed differences among the three
coproparasitological techniques used. In the direct smear,
ascarid and cestode eggs were identified. Using the flotation
technique, abundant ascarid and cestode eggs were observed;
however, these structures collapsed within a few minutes
of observation. In contrast, the sedimentation technique
allowed the observation of abundant cestode eggs, which
did not collapse during microscopic examination.
Of the 32 fecal samples analyzed, only samples from
enclosures 1, 2, and 3 were positive for intestinal parasite
eggs. ese enclosures corresponded to African lions,
one white tiger, and white lions, respectively (Table 1).
Coproparasitological analysis revealed the presence of
two groups of gastrointestinal parasites: cestodes of the
order Diphyllobothriidea and nematodes of the family
Toxocaridae.
Table 1. Gastrointestinal parasitic forms identified in large felids from the Moroleón Áreas Verdes Zoological Park,
Guanajuato, Mexico, according to enclosure, June 2025.
Enclosure Species Identified parasites
1African lion (Panthera leo)Cestodes (Diphyllobothriidae) and
nematodes (Toxocaridae)
2 White tiger (Panthera tigris) Nematodes (Toxocariidae)
3 White lion (Panthera leo krugeri) Nematodes (Toxocariidae)
4 Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) Negative
5 Jaguar (Panthera onca) Negative
6 Puma (Puma concolor) Negative
7 Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Negative
DISCUSSION
e coproparasitological analysis revealed the presence
of cestodes and ascarids in fecal samples from African
lions housed in enclosure 1, ascarids in the tiger from
enclosure 2, and ascarids in the lions from enclosure 3.
According to these findings, the gastrointestinal parasites
affecting the felids at the Moroleón Áreas Verdes Zoological
Park corresponded mainly to ascarids and cestodes. ese
results provide relevant epidemiological information on
intestinal parasitic infections in large felids from the state
of Guanajuato.
e identification of these parasitic groups is consistent with
previous studies conducted in other regions of the world
(Cañar-Romero & Lojano-Carmona, 2018), suggesting a
broad and persistent distribution of these parasites among
exotic felids and other wild animals kept under human
care (Eom et al., 2019; Morales et al., 2022; Gómez-Ruiz
& Lenis, 2025). Similar findings have been reported in
studies describing gastrointestinal parasites belonging to
the same taxonomic groups.
e detection of ascarids is particularly relevant because
these nematodes have a high capacity for direct and indirect
transmission, either through the ingestion of paratenic or
non-paratenic hosts (Quintero-Cusguen et al., 2021) or
through environmental contamination within enclosures.
is finding is consistent with studies conducted in the
state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, between 2022 and
2024, where ascarid prevalences of 51.04% were reported
in captive animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles,
and 23% in wild animals, including mammals and reptiles,
under human management conditions (Da Silva et al.,
2025). eir frequent occurrence may be related to the
environmental resistance of their eggs and to management
practices that do not eliminate sources of infection.
On the other hand, the detection of cestodes is significant
because most of these parasites require intermediate hosts
to reach their definitive hosts (Bowman, 2021). is raises
important epidemiological questions regarding the possible
transmission route: which organisms may have acted as
intermediate hosts and allowed the parasite to reach the
lions? Could wild fauna have entered the zoological park
and participated in the parasite’s life cycle? Alternatively,
could this parasitic infection have been acquired through
the transfer or exchange of animals?
Based on its morphological characteristics, the cestode
strobila recovered in this study was considered compatible
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with Spirometra spp. (Kuchta et al., 2024). is finding
is relevant because it represents a potentially novel record
of Spirometra spp. in lions (P. leo) in Mexico, although
molecular confirmation is required.
However, molecular diagnostic techniques are necessary to
confirm this identification. Although cases of sparganosis
caused by Spirometra had previously been documented
in other hosts in Mexico, such as the oncilla [Leopardus
tigrinus (Schreber, 1775)] in 1933, as well as in domestic
dogs and humans in subsequent decades (Chavarría, 1939;
Landero et al., 1991), its identification in P. leo represents
a finding that expands the known host spectrum of this
parasitic genus in Mexico.
is is particularly relevant from a public health perspective
because of the zoonotic potential of sparganosis, especially
in contexts where contact between humans and felids may
occur frequently (Salazar-Grosskelwing et al., 2024).
e combined use of macroscopic and microscopic
techniques, including flotation and sedimentation, allowed
the detection of both eggs and adult parasitic structures.
is confirms the usefulness of integrated diagnostic
approaches, even in the absence of visible clinical signs.
ese findings emphasize the importance of continuing
to investigate the parasitic forms affecting large felids in
Mexico (Cascón et al., 2017).
e findings of this study not only document the presence
of intestinal parasites in captive felids in Mexico, but also
open new lines of research on the epidemiology of these
parasites in wildlife under human care. e identification
of gastrointestinal parasites in lions, in particular, should be
considered an important finding from both conservation
and public health perspectives.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
e authors thank the staff of the Moroleón Áreas Verdes
Zoological Park for the facilities provided to carry out
this study and for their support during access to the
enclosures and animal management activities. e authors
also acknowledge the valuable collaboration of those who
participated in sample collection, handling of biological
material, and review of the information obtained.
e authors are also grateful to the corresponding
authorities for the administrative and logistical support
provided during the development of this work, as well as
to the academic and technical staff of the participating
institutions for their assistance and availability. Finally, the
authors acknowledge the professors and co-authors who
contributed through their guidance, critical review of the
manuscript, methodological support, and participation in
the different stages of the research.
Author contributions: CRediT (Contributor Roles
Taxonomy
MLB: Mario Loya-Bautista
JJD: Juan Jiménez-Diego
MSL: Mauro Sanvicente-López
AARR: Andrés Alberto Ruiz-Rosiles
ARO: Alejandro Ramírez-Ortega
NRHG: Nicodemo Reyes Hernández-García
MAB: Maylin Almonte-Becerril
ABM: Alejandro Besné-Merida
JI: José Iannacone
MARS: María Amparo Rodríguez-Santiago
Conceptualization: MLB, EAT, MARS
Data curation: MLB, MARS
Formal analysis: MLB, JI, MARS
Funding acquisition: MLB
Investigation: MARS, JI
Methodology: MARS, JJD
Project administration: MLB
Resources: MLB, JJD
Software: JI, MLB, JJD
Supervision: MARS, MAB
Validation: MLB, MARS, JI
Visualization: MARS, EA, MLB
Writing – original draft: MLB, MARS
Writing – review & editing: MLB, MARS, JI
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Received June 8, 2026.
Accepted August 5, 2026.
Published online August 8, 2026.
