Discussion

As part of their drive through safari experience, Knowsley Safari (KS) offers its visitors a close-up encounter with their colony of olive baboons (Papio anubis) from the safety of their vehicles. Exiting vehicles, however, are sometimes contaminated with baboon faeces, posing a small health hazard. Coinciding with an animal welfare check, a coprological survey of baboon stool, both obtained from sleeping areas and cars, was conducted. Faecal material was examined by standard parasitological methods inclusive of: QUIK-CHEK RDT (Giardia), Kato-Katz coproscopy (Trichuris) and charcoal culture (Strongyloides). Across a four-day period, a total of 2,662 vehicles were examined with just under 700 stools obtained. Some 11.4% of vehicles were contaminated with faecal material. Overall prevalence of giardiasis was 37.4%, trichuriasis was 48.0% and strongyloidiasis was 13.7%. Since no faecal cysts of Giardia could be seen by microscopy, alongside very low levels of DNA detected by faecal PCR, these RDTs results were judged misleading. Further DNA characterisation confirmed the presence of Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides fuelleborni. The latter observation represents this species’ most northern report of natural transmission. To minimise any public health risk, a future blanket administration of anthelminthic(s) is recommended, with later coprological