Gastrointestinal parasites in large felines at the Moroleón zoo, green areas of Guanajuato, Mexico

Abstract

Zoos and wildlife conservation centers play a fundamental role in protecting a wide range of species. Therefore, 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). The 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. These 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.