PLATYNOSOMUM FASTOSUM IN EX-CAPTIVE ORANGUTANS FROM INDONESIA

The liver fluke Platynosomum fastosum was identified upon necropsy of three ex-captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) which had been part of a rehabilitation program for reintroduction to die wild. This trematode has not been reported in orangutans previously and is commonly found i n cats in Southeast Asia. Cross infection from cats via intermediate h osts, to orangutans kept in captivity as pets, could explain their pre sence in the latter. Although P. fastosum caused intrahepatic and bile duct damage, death of the hosts could not be attributed solely to the presence of the liver fluke infection.