Occurrence of Fasciola spp. in free-ranging wild ruminants of Central India

Wild ruminants are prime source for survival of apex species in protected and nonprotected forest areas. During post mortem examination of deer, antelopes and gaurs in different tiger reserves of central India, the occurrence of Fasciola spp. was documented. Out of 155 carcasses, 48 (30.9%) harboured liver flukes including chital (42.1%) blackbuck (35.2%), nilgai (28.5%), chinkara (25.0%), gaur (25%), sambar (18.7%) and barking deer (12.5%). In some cases, extensive destruction in liver parenchyma was recorded with migratory tracts, nodules and necrosis. The recovered flukes (41.7±2.26 x 5.12±017 mm) and eggs (171± 3.46 x 89.2± 1.48 μm) were measured and confirmed as Fasciola gigantica. The possible reasons for the varying degrees of infection with Fasciola in different wild ruminants is discussed.