Abstract
To determine gastrointestinal parasites of sika deer (Cervus nippon), a total of 134 fecal samples were collected from the ground in three public facilities (Areas A, B and D)and a farm (Area C)in Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, Japan. Each of these areas is shared by both the deer and humans. The numbers of specimens collected in Areas A, B, C and D were 30, 38, 36 and 30, respectively. The specimens were examined by the direct smear method, the sucrose centrifugal-flotation technique and the ether-formalin sedimentation technique. At least three genera of intestinal parasites (Eimeria spp., Dicrocoelium, chinensis, Trichuris ovis) and unidentified nematodes were detected The detection rate of the parasites were as follows: Eimeria spp., Area A: 27%, B:8%, C: 44%, D: 40%; D. chinensis. Area A: 10%, D: 37%; T. ovis, Area A: 7%, B :5%, C: 3%; unidentified nematodes, Area A: 60%, B:11%, C: 14%, D: 7% The faunas of the parasites in the feces were different among the four areas. Although both Areas B and C are located in Chiba Prefecture, the prevalence of Eimeria spp., was remarkably different in these two areas.
