Investigation of endoparasite infecting wild proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in Lok Kawi Wildlife Park / Dahlia Dahalan

Nasalis larvatus are considered as endangered species and parasitic infection might affect the monkey overall health. High parasitic infection leads to the lowering of survival and reduce the fitness of the monkey itself. The aim of this study were to detect the presence of endoparasites and quantify the prevalence rate of the gastrointestinal parasites infecting the captive proboscis monkey in Lok Kawi wildlife Park. A total of 10 random fecal samples of captive proboscis monkey in Lok Kawi Wildlife Park were collected and brought back to Kompleks Sains dan Agroteknologi (KOMSAT) for examination. In the laboratory, the endoparasites were identified via direct smear and fecal flotation method. Prevalence rate and EPG were determined based on the two methods applied. The result shows that three groups of endoparasites present in the samples with nematode have the highest prevalence rate (80.00%), followed by protozoa (70.00%) and cestode (50.00%). One of the factors that cause the monkey to get infected is most probably due to contaminated food, water and environment.