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."

Most of the owners use painful wooden nose "packs" or rings that attach to the ropes they use to control the camels. In the desert and nearby villages, owners use a looser halter to guide the animals. In the cities like Jaipur, however, owners want more control over the camels to prevent them from wandering into traffic.

As a result, the rings often irritate and tear the nose, causing infections. After Singhal cleans the wounds and removes the wooden pack, he provides free plastic nose packs that help to prevent infections.

The camel clinic moves to several fixed locations throughout the city during the week. Along with the nose, feet and hump injuries, Singhal often sees camels suffering from mouth ulcers that stem from malnutrition. For that, the camels receive a shot of B12. If the camels are dehydrated, they receive an intravenous drip as they sit alongside the busy streets.

Gopal, a camel owner, regularly brings his camel to the clinic. Until recently, he thought his camel was going to die from several injuries. But now he thinks the treatment is working.

"I am hopeful it will be OK," Gopal said through an interpreter.

Construction of a new camel clinic in Jaipur begins next week. It will provide both free inpatient and outpatient treatment for the animals. The new facility will be completed in about nine months with funding mostly from the ELSU Foundation.

Camels are desert animals and their bodies were created to walk on sand. In the city, however, they are susceptible to injuries from walking on hard surfaces, especially streets that are extremely hot from the blazing sun.

When treated well, the gentle animals can live about 20 years. But working camels often die at the age of 10.

"The people basically they become greedy and use them more and more and more," said Help in Suffering chief veterinarian Dr. Sunil Chawla. "On the other hand, the people who use the camels in the village have a good heart. They don't give the hard life to them, but in the city with the commerce, unfortunately it is true."

The organization tries to educate camel owners about the benefits of treating the animals with respect. Prevention of injuries is the key to a longer life. Using the plastic nose pack and providing better layering under the saddles are simple but effective solutions.

In rare circumstances, Help in Suffering can persuade workers to give the animals a break for a few days in order for them to heal from their injuries. When possible, the group's members provide the owners with 100 or 200 rupees per day -- about $3 or $5 -- which is what they would make if their camels were working. The camels then rest under a tree at the current facility.

"Since I've started working here, the people are beginning to learn to take care," said Singhal. "I've noticed a difference."