The HIS Camel project is funded by Animaux Secours, the Marchig Trust (Switzerland), and the Carpenter Trust (UK). A new Camel Rescue Centre is being built at Bassi, on the Agra Road, where many camels work, and much help is needed to reduce their suffering. The building of this shelter is being funded by ELSU Foundation (Switzerland). This foundation has also donated a large vehicle with hydraulic hoist to enable HIS to rescue abandonned camels which can no longer stand due to injury or illness.

In June 2001, Dr. Devi Shankar Rajoria, working with volunteer vets from the UK, Drs. Richard and Emma Morris, set up the HIS Camel Project as a result of the extreme suffering of working camels seen in the vicinity of Jaipur. Dr Pradeep Singhal now heads the project.

Wound inflicted by hot iron branding

Each day a team headed by Dr. Singhal visits different places in Jaipur and in the villages where large numbers of camels are congregated. As much as treating wounds and injuries, the Camel Project team focus on educating owners so that improved management practices can be introduced. This education is carried out while camels are being treated, by the vet and staff. A leaflet is handed out, written in Rajasthani, and it is explained why the animal is suffering, and how this can be avoided in future.

For example, a common method of treating throat and cold infections, or lameness, has been to inflict a deep burning wound by means of an iron rod applied to the skin of the affected area. Owners are advised that this method of treatment is not only useless but can threaten the life of their camel.

Another simply healed problem is oral papillae inflammation, the cause of which is vitamin deficiency. Colic occurs in hot weather when the camel is hot, and has not drunk for some time. It also occurs when poor fodder mixed with sand is fed to camels, or from a large worm burden.

Mange and ticks are two other very common problems which can be easily corrected, most common and other ectoparasite some time also.

Common throat problems include, inflamation at base of tongue(deep in the mouth), inflamed areas around  pharynx, and coughs. Tryapanosomiasis ( Surra or also called Teebursa in local language) is caused by a blood parasite and can be treated. Corneal opacity, lameness, gangrene, abscesses and puncture of the sole of the foot are other common ailments treated by the HIS camel team.

Camel owner caresses his animal whilst it awaits veterinary treatment

Sore caused by poorly fitting saddle - camel rested at HIS and correction was made to saddlery

Use of the Wooden Nosepeg

Nose damaged by maggot infestation - camel surrendered to HIS, compensation paid to owner and camel euthanased

Another major causes of suffering of camels has been incorrect use of the nosepeg. Friction caused by the nosepeg results in suppurating wounds which attract flies and the wound becomes infected with maggots. Part of the nose or face can then be eaten away, and not only does the camel become worthless to the owner, but it suffers the pain of constantly exposed nasal passages and bone.

Substitute of correct nosepeg for incorrect nosepeg:

The HIS Camel team is promoting use of a smooth, plastic nosepeg instead of the rough wooden peg which not only creates friction, but absorbs infected fluids and is therefore unhygienic. Additionally, camel owners are encouraged to use a peg with a longer stem (see illustration ). If the peg has a short stem the two ends rub against the nose and the inside of the mouth. If it has a long stem there is plenty of room to affix a soft piece of cotton rope. Secondly, if the nosepeg has a very wide base inside the nose, it will rub, cut and irritate the nose, but if it has a narrow circumference, then it is much less prone to damage the animal.

Plastic nosepeg causes less friction and damage to nostril

Reduction of nosepeg wounds:

In March 2002 shortly after the Camel Project first commenced, the camel owners were still a little doubtful about modern veterinary treatment. In the first month of the project HIS were breaking new ground, and only treated 45 camels. Of these, 12 had damage to the nose, or fly-blown nose, that is, 26.6%. In March 2003, 46 camels were treated, and of these, 7 had nose wound problems – 15.21%. In March 2004, 20 out of 136 camels treated had nose wound problems – that is 14.7%. This March, of the 223 camels treated only 30 had nose wound problems, equaling 13.45%. Thus we can see from our records that due to education and awareness, the problem of fly-blown and infected nose from the nose-peg is being reduced.

Injury and Death of camels on the highways:

From the start of the programme until December 2005 over 6533 reflectors have been placed on camel carts to prevent road accidents at night

Over 6762 camels have been dewormed (a camel carrying a heavy burden of worms is weak, malnourished and feels debilitated). Overall, more than 7418 treatments have been given

Attaching reflectors to back of camel carts

Camels await treatment at Chaksu, a village about 50km south of Jaipur

Current Timetable:
Wednesday- Agra road Kanota , Brick Kilns.
Thurdsday- TP Nagar, Grain Market
Friday- Sikar Road, Vishwakarma ( VKIA)
Saturday- Tonk raod, Chakshu
Sunday- Sikar Raod, Chomu
Monday- Gujar Ki Thadi, Sanganer, Bagru
Tuesday- Rest day

The camel team also responds to emergency calls which may be up to 100 kilometres distance if the camel is seriously injured and in need of euthanasia. Many camel owners bring their camels from villages up to 50 kilometres disant to the shelter. If the camel requires rest of several weeks, and the family is completely dependant on the camel for their income, HIS provides the family with a daily allowance while the camel is resting. If the camel is too severely injured to recover, HIS persuades the owner to allow euthanasia, and provides compensation for the loss of the camel.

The HIS camel team has also taken part in many village camps especially to encourage good camel management. For example camps have been held in Sirohi district, at Pushkar fair (for three years), Dhula rao ji village, where approximately 100 camels were examined and treated, Manpura Macheri and many other villages of Rajasthan.