Research overview: gastrointestinal parasite surveys of wild felids

Surveys of the gut parasites of wild cats, typically based on fecal examination, provide a window into felid health, diet and environmental exposure. This overview surveys the common gastrointestinal parasites found in wild felids, including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and protozoa, and how their prevalence varies with species, habitat, age and prey base. It examines the methods used, from microscopy to molecular identification, the interpretation of parasite loads, and the zoonotic and conservation significance of certain parasites. The synthesis connects routine parasitological surveys to broader questions about felid ecology and health. It aims to help readers appreciate how cataloguing the worms and protozoa inhabiting wild cats yields insight not only into disease but into what these animals eat, where they live, and how they interact with their environment.