Healing Camels in India's Desert State

JAIPUR, India, Jan. 16, 2009 — -- It's about 8 a.m. when Pradeep Singhal meets the group of men gathered with their camels alongside a busy road on the outskirts of the city.

The men wear blankets to protect themselves against the chilly weather and drizzling rain. Their camels lie or stand on the dirt next to them, long ropes looped through their noses that are tightly gripped by their owners.

Singhal is a veterinarian who runs a free mobile clinic for Help in Suffering, a nonprofit organization based here. His truck or "camel mobile" is full of medicine and equipment to care for the injured and abused camels who work around the city. He treats about 200 camels per week.

As he makes his way through the line, Singhal carefully inspects the camels -- which often cry in agony -- and asks the owners what is wrong. The most common injuries are preventable but nevertheless extremely painful infected cuts on the camels' delicate noses and feet, as well as open wounds on their humps.

"The person who owns the camel, he won't earn that much money that takes care of feed, as well as the treatment," said Singhal. "That's why we have started the treatment program here. Now they are getting free treatment so they can earn their money more and live their livelihood better."

Jaipur is in the state of Rajasthan, a popular tourist destination in India and also a desert region that is home to most of the country's camels. India has one of the world's largest camel populations. Last year, when oil prices skyrocketed, camel usage increased because it became too expensive to haul grain and other loads with motor vehicles.

Help in Suffering started its camel clinic about six years ago. In the beginning it wasn't a big hit with the locals because, well, no one believed they could get something for free.

"In earlier days, they weren't having faith in us. You know, when you're providing something free the people won't accept the things. They think that you are giving free means that there will be something wrong," said Singhal. "But we are using the best quality medicines for them."