Ascarids infestation of captive big cats (Felidae) in zoos

Parasitological studies are an important part of veterinary control when keeping wild and endangered species of animals in captive breeding. For three years we watched felines (Felidae) in zoos In 49.2% of feces samples, nematodes were found: Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati. Infection with toxascaris in half of the snow leopard (Uncia uncia), all cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and one puma (Puma concolor) was recorded regularly during 3 years of research, T. leonina eggs were found in the soil of the enclosures of these animals. This allows to talk about a stable area of invasion. The most probable way of introducing T. cati nematode into the animal population of the zoo with an animal brought from the wild was noted. Measures for the complete rescue of the territory of zoos and animals from ascaridids require an integrated approach and further improvement.