Observations on the internal parasites of reindeer introduced into South Georgia

Norwegina reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, were introduced to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia in 1911 & 1925. Because there are few potential intermediate hosts and no other ungulates on the island, the internal parasite fauna of the reindeer is poor in species. Warble flies do not occur. Only three species of direct-cycling intestinal nematode and one species of cestode were found. Though the output of strongylid eggs rose in spring, parasites were probably not a primary cause of mortality.