CAMELS are majestic creatures that are accorded special importance in cultures around the world that depend on their strength and speed to transport people and goods across long distances in tough terrain. Camels are symbolic in desert communities from China to India to the Middle East which have different species of camels suited to their particular climate and surroundings. These awe-inspiring creatures also feature in folklore such as One Thousand and One Nights and have captured the attention and fascination of people for centuries.
Despite their striking stature and purposefulness, camels are abused and overworked across India. Some are also deliberately attacked and suffer from wounds that lead to permanent damage or even death. India Animal Foundation and Help In Suffering are saving camels from this horrific abuse and administering medical care and treatment to make sure the suffering ends and the animals can live safe and comfortable lives.
We encourage you to watch this short campaign video from India Animal Foundation and Help In Suffering. It explains the abuse and suffering that a camel in India is forced to endure:
What is so special about camels?
Camels are unique mammals that are able to survive for weeks without water and months without food, because of the humps on their backs. These humps are fat deposits that help their bodies convert the fat into energy when there is no access to food or water in their dry and arid surroundings. This makes them useful in desert habitats where camel herders use the animals for various jobs. A camel can weigh over 450 kgs and can carry loads of up to 180 kgs depending on the species of camel. These unique characteristics have earned camels the nickname the “ships of the desert”.
How are camels working animals?
In India, camels are mostly found in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and surrounding states. They are working animals that are used for transporting people and goods, pulling vehicles, ploughing fields and also as entertainment. There are camel fairs in which the animals are used for giving people rides through the desert. There are also competitions involving camels such as camel racing, camel milking, camel fur cutting, camel best of breed, camel acrobatics, camel pageants and performances with camels. The Camel Pushkar Fair is an example of these camel fairs that are popular amongst locals and tourists.
Even though camels are useful and enjoyed by humans, who domesticated them around 3,000 years ago, the animals still suffer abuse and mistreatment. Humans subject the animals to smuggling, attacks and even butchering for meat. These abused and tortured mammals are in need of urgent medical care which India Animal Foundation and Help In Suffering have been giving each year for around 7,000 camels. For many more, the NGOs provide a safe sanctuary where they can live the rest of their lives in safe places with enough food and support.
The immense suffering of camels
India Animal Foundation has partnered with Help In Suffering to rescue camels from abuse and bring them to a comfortable home where they are safe from harm. Timmie Kumar is the Managing Trustee from Help In Suffering and she shares the abuse of camels that she has personally witnessed: “these animals are made to carry large stones and heavy loads. If there is the slightest pause in their strides, these camels are beaten. There are deep wounds that get infested with maggots.”
But despite the suffering, camel owners push them to continue. Timmie describes that “under heavy loads, many camels fall and even break their legs. Even when these giant animals fall, camel cart owners push and beat them to continue working with their pain. Furthermore, when a camel enters someone’s farm, the animal is attacked with axes and knives.” Often, the camel cart owners refuse to get their wounds treated because this will cost money. So the camels suffer in silence after being attacked with knives.
Timmie shares with sadness that these innocent animals are “marked with hot irons due to which they develop wounds and cannot eat food or drink water and they slowly lose their lives.”
Help In Suffering’s solution to the abuse of camels
India Animal Foundation and Help In Suffering provide medical treatment to around 7,000 camels each year to make sure that their suffering is not worsened due to the lack of medical care. But for those abandoned camels whose condition is severe and no amount of treatment can improve their health, they are taken to a spacious sanctuary where they have shelter and enough space to walk and run around. The NGO also feeds them nutritious food and gives them enough water each day. The camels are cleaned, bathed and given medical attention to make sure the rest of their lives are spent in safe and comfortable surroundings with people who love and care for them.
Support abused and tortured camels
To help camels suffering from abuse, you can donate to Help In Suffering’s fundraiser and help the NGO have the resources to care for more camels. “I appeal to you to join us and make the lives of these majestic animals better” Timmie shares. To support Help In Suffering, you can donate here:
Help abused and tortured camels
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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