The Long-Standing Problem of Parasitic Diseases in Zoo Animals: Current Challenges and Searching for Solutions

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitism is a widespread biological phenomenon in nature, and has also forever accompanied life in zoological gardens. The negative effects of parasitic infections in zoo animals could be numerous: the development of secondary deficiency and other infections, an impairment of reproduction, and a risk of death in cases of massive and dangerous parasitoses. Moreover, zoos are places where wild animals come into close contact with humans. This significantly increases the risk of the spread of parasitic zoonoses, posing a threat to the health of the animals themselves, staff of the zoos, and visitors.

The fight against parasitoses in zoos faces various challenges such as deficiencies in preventive programs; untimely or inaccurate diagnosis; parasite import via intermediates, paratenic hosts, or mechanical vectors (snails, ants, cockroaches, other insects, worms, rodents, etc.); persistent infections (e.g., soil-transmitted helminthoses); the need to adapt the antiparasitic treatment for a specific animal species, the development of resistance to drugs; and others. Success in this fight requires the united efforts of all zoo professionals: managers, curators, keepers, and veterinarians.

The help of science would be important but sometimes decisive for controlling parasitic diseases in zoo animals. The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect scientific papers on the topic of parasites in zoo animals that would contribute to both fundamental parasitology and zoo management practices. Original research articles, review articles, short communications, and case reports on all aspects of the subject are welcome. Let us do our part for a better future for animals in captivity!

Dr. Mariana Stancheva Panayotova-Pencheva
Guest Editor

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