SOME PARASITES OF FERAL WESTERN KOB (Kobus Kob kob) OF LAKE KAINJI NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

Abstract

The parasites of kob based on physical, faecal and blood examination has revealed that kob harbor ticks which include Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus nymph, Amblyomma variegatum; lice, Damalinia sp; and fed upon by by biting fly Culicoides.  sp. Helminth ova found were Strongyl sp. and Fasciola. sp.; protozoan. Babesia sp. in blood and Eimeria sp. in faeces. The significance of tick as vector of parasites of domestic animals and the potential risk of kob as reservoir of the parasites these vectors transmit are discussed. The prevalence of Strongyl sp. and Fasciola sp. ova as reflection of worm burden and potential pasture contamination are highlighted