A trematode species belonging to the genus Prosthogonimus (family: Prosthogonimidae) was collected in August, 2004 from the bursa of Fabricius of a single Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis, caught in Chuncheon, Korea. Five specimens were collected in total and fluke morphology was examined under using a light microscope. The average parasite size was 5.6 × 3.2 mm (length × width; based on 4 specimens). The genital pore was located on the anterior right margin of the oral sucker. The cirrus sac was strongly sinuous and extended beyond the intestinal bifurcation to the ventral sucker. The prepharynx was extremely short and the pharynx was small. The vitellaria consisted of 6 follicle bunches and extended from the ventral sucker to the posterior of the testes. Finally, the uterus filled the body cavity posterior to the testes. In addition, there were no heavy slings occurred anterior to the testes. Based on these morphological characteristics, the parasites were identified as P. cuneatus. The discovery of P. cuneatus within a Little Grebe constitutes a new host identification and a new geographical record. This is the first reported case of Prosthogonimus infection within wild birds in Korea.
Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo kiautschensis) is a natural monument (No. 324) and is also classified as an endangered wildlife grade II the Ministry of Environment of Korea. Eurasian eagle owl is threatened by the human being. But the efficient rescue and treatment for Eurasian eagle owl are still problematic, due to lack of basic data. In this study, to obtain basic resources for establishing more efficient rescue system, we held a physical examination and measured size physical part. In addition, we analyzed blood sample and feces samples and autopsy. We conduct the physical examination with measuring tapes and scales for 16 live features and 11 dead features. After inhalation anesthesia take the blood samples from wing vein. Blood samples are analyzed in hematologic and chemistric methods. We collected the feces through individual floor of cages from 12 live features and conducted the feces analysis. Autopsy was conducted for 11 dead samples. In physical examination, the mean body weight and total length of live features was 2.260.35kg, 612.38cm, the mean body weight and total length of dead features was 1.570.51kg, 59.313.51cm. Mean PCV was 46.574.97%, while mean TPP was 3.490.57g/dL. In feces sample analysis, 9 of 12 owls(75%) were infested by gastrointestinal helminths. The infection rates were: Trematoda (41.7%), Capilaria sp.(66.7%), acanthocephalans (25%). In autopsy, we confirmed 11 features were infested by duplicated infection of more than 2 helminths. Result of this study will be used for establishing reference range for physical features, blood analysis in Eurasian eagle owl. Therefore, to obtain basic resources for establishing more efficient rescue system, we have to make long-term conservation plans for Eurasian eagle owl.