Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite for which felids are the definitive hosts and the oocysts are
shed in the felid’s feces. Oocysts that are prevalent in the soil where ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur
catta) live can be ingested by them and infect them with toxoplasmosis, which can lead to
reproductive problems, anorexia, cellular necrosis, depression, and even death. Soil samples
were taken from the inside and outside of the ring-tailed lemur exhibit at a zoo in the Midwest to
determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts there. Samples were taken through two
separate treatments to isolate the oocysts from the soil. Both treatments of both inside samples
and outside samples did not return any isolated oocysts. Even though Toxoplasma gondii oocysts
were not found in the soil samples that were taken for this study, the ring-tailed lemurs at this
zoo have still gotten toxoplasmosis, so more research is necessary to determine how this is
happening. Recommendations for lowering the risk to the lemurs at this zoo include reevaluating
the construction of their exhibit and taking other preventative measures to avoid this disease.
