HELMINTHS OF THE BLACK BEAR IN QUEBEC

Abstract

Twenty-one complete carcasses of black bears, Ursus americanus , together with 34 intestinal tracts, 86 diaphragms and 168 faecal droppings collected between June, 1971 and November, 1972 in the Province of Quebec were examinel for helminths. Species found and their prevalence were as follows: Dirofilaria ursi in 57%; Uncinaria yukonensis in 6%; Baylisascaris transfuga in 21%; larvae of Trichinella spiralis in less than 1%; Diphyllobothrium ursi in 36%; and Taenia krabbei and Taenia hydatigena in 4%. These findings are discussed in the light of other reports.