Vol. 18 No. 10 (2003): October
Case Report

Sarcocystis infection in Chital (Axis axis) and Dhole (Cuon alpinus) in two Indian protected areas

Published 2003-10-21

Abstract

A survey of faecally dispersed parasities in Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and Tadoba National Park revealed that the Dhole or Indian Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus) shed sporocysts of  Sarcocystis sp. Consistently in large numbers.  Post mortem examinaton of Chital, the major prey of Dhole, showed presence of  sarcocysts in the heart and skeletal muscles.  Circumstantial evidence points to a Chital-Dhole life-cycle for this species.  We report here the prevalence and intensities of infection of the two hosts in  both the sancutaries.