FASCIOLOIDIASIS IN GAME-RANCHED ELK FROM MONTANA

The distribution of Fascioloides magna in game-ranched elk and the pot ential for spread of the parasite through movement of infected animals was examined in Montana (USA). Fecal samples (n = 448) collected from captive elk on 29 game ranches were examined for eggs of F. magna by fecal sedimentation. Eggs were detected in elk on 5 ranches. This sugg ests that F. magna has been translocated by infected game-ranched elk. The wide distribution of snail intermediate hosts for F. magna in Mon tana indicates a potential to spread the parasite to other captive cer vids, domestic Livestock or free-ranging wildlife.