Pilot Research on Gastrointestinal Parasites of the Tatra Chamois ()

Introduction And Objective: The Tatra chamois () is a significant representative of the High Tatra Mountains endemic fauna species. In terms of health hazards for these animals, an important role is played by parasitic infections that can lead to a significant depletion of the entire population.

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites of Tatra chamois in the current environmental and climatic conditions of the High Tatra Mountains.

Material And Methods: During the pilot project in 2014 - 2017, a total of 494 chamois faecal samples were collected from the Slovak High Tatra and 114 samples in the Polish part of the mountain and examined using standard coprological methods.

Results: The results revealed that the overall positivity for gastrointestinal parasites in chamois of the Slovak High Tatra reached 74.7%. Most frequent were protozoa - spp. (42.7%), helminths were represented by spp. tapeworms (23.5%), eggs of GIS-strongylids (7.1%), and sporadically spp. (1.4%). The chamois from the Polish Tatra Mts. were infected with spp. (43.9%), GIT-strongylids (9.6%), and spp. (6.1%). Parasitic infection was determined in 59.6 % of faecal samples from the Polish part of the mountains. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference in Moniezia spp. occurrence in different Slovak Tatra Mts. Regions, as well as between Slovak and Polish Tatra Mts.

Conclusions: Initial research on the gastrointestinal parasites of the Tatra chamois revealed one indisputable finding - a relatively high prevalence of the genus , which is closely linked to the climate and microclimate conditions of the mountains. Further intensive research on parasite composition and distribution in Tatra chamois is needed in broader temporal, ecological, and zoological contexts.