[The problem of parasites in game animals in Austria]

The parasitical diseases are among the game diseases the most wide spread. Since the interest of keeping game healthy is of great universal importance, the problem of the prevention of serious losses caused by parasites arises. Today this is in many cases possible by the exploration of all present prophylactical and therapeutical avenues. The presupposition in this respect is the thorough knowledge of parasite and host. Only then antiparasitical drugs can be employed at the right time. Furthermore the biotop, the agricultural and the forestry conditions have to be considered. Although population losses caused by parasites can be very heavy, a game population can never be decimated so far that its continuance will be endangered. Owing to the hitherto existing knowledge a qualitative population regulation is not caused by the parasites. Detrimental effects with domestic animals caused by game parasites or vice versa in hunting grounds is certainly possible but dependent upon the species greatly different, and practically without essential meaning in Austria.