EN
The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of intestinal parasitic infection in bison (Bison bison L.) in a private farm located in southern Poland. The prevalence of infection [%] and the faecal oocyst/egg output in OPG (oocysts per gram) and EPG (eggs per gram) were estimated on the basis of coproscopic examination. The results showed a high occurrence of coccidia (Eimeria spp.) – 68.2% (347 OPG), as well as nematodes – 65.9% (93 EPG), with the Nematodirus genus observed in 6.8% of the animals examined. Among other nematodes, Toxocara (Neoascaris) vitulorum was found in 6.1% (10 EPG) of the animals. Trichuris ovis and Strongyloides papillosus occurred rarely (0.8%). Tapeworms, Moniezia spp., were noted in 9.1% of the animals. The primary factor conducive to the spread of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in the herd were wet pastures created in dried fish ponds, where protozoan oocysts and helminth eggs had excellent conditions for development and infection. The small number of large quarters prevented their frequent rotation, which promoted the accumulation of parasites in all developmental stages in the environment and quick reinfection. Feeding animals directly from the ground may also promote infection. A single deworming procedure per year appears to be insufficient.