Prevalence of the giant liver fluke (fascioloides magna, bassi, 1875) in red deer (cervus elaphus) in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia

This is the first study offering insights into the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the population of red deer in the territory of Serbia. Giang liver fluke (Fascioloides magna, Bassi, 1875) is the most important liver parasite among wild ruminants in Europe, especially in the region of floodplain forests along the upper watercourse of Danube river. The main objective of this research was establishing the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia. In the observed regions (hunting grounds), the population prevalence rates ranged from 0 to 80% with an average prevalence in positive herds being 70.6%. The total population of red deer, from the observed hunting grounds, exposed to the giant liver fluke includes 47.9% of red deer population in Serbia, which is 0.7% of the total hunting area of Serbia. Giant liver fluke is present in north-western regions of Serbia in a narrow area of floodplain forests along the watercourse of Danube and Sava rivers next to the border with Croatia. The red deers populating the wetland basin of “Gornje Podunavlje” migrate freely through the tri-border area of Hungary, Croatia and Serbia making a consistent epizootical unit. Moreover, the game migrates freely between Croatia and Serbia in the area of Posavina forests along the river Sava. All data obtained in this research are essential for further activities aimed at preventing the spread of this parasite within red deer population and thus decreasing consequent damages and losses.