Camel Joyrides: Cruel Entertainment
Across the country, camels are taken out of their desert homes and are forced to pull carts and carry people for "entertainment". Joyride operators often ignore the animals' most basic needs. Camels are housed with no shelter from the elements and are not provided with adequate food. The animals are forced to carry riders all day long in the blazing sun with few breaks for rest and water. Many camels become emaciated, exhausted and ill.
Camels are forced to carry heavy and ill-fitting saddles which chafe and leave them with sores, which are typically concealed from tourists with decorations. The joyride operators ignore the animals' distress and provide them with no veterinary care. Left untreated, the sores grow progressively more painful and often develop into acute infections.
According to a news report published in The Times of India, the demand for the camels who are transported from Rajasthan to Pune for giving joyrides "goes up during festivals. Not being able to survive the drastic change in living conditions, however, they soon weather away, making way for next lot".
No Relief
Another article in The Times of India reported that the humid climate has a detrimental effect on the health and survival of camels. Camels who are taken to foreign climates are susceptible to respiratory disorders and skin diseases. According to veterinarian Dr Dhananjay Shinkar, who works with the sanctuary Animal Rahat, many camels used for joyrides suffer serious skin disorders, and they typically do not survive for long. In addition, camels' feet are biologically adapted to walk on sand, but they are forced to walk on concrete roads instead. Camels are often worked until they drop.
In order for joyride operators to control the animals, camels' noses are pierced without any anaesthesia and rings are forced through the holes. This painful procedure leaves the animals bleeding and mutilated.
In their native deserts, camels are social animals who live in close-knit herds. These naturally free-roaming animals fare poorly when forced to carry heavy loads in arduous conditions with little food or care. Despite their imposing size, camels are often skittish and do not tolerate rough handling well. This presents a potentially hazardous situation for both the camels and their riders.
You Can Help
Sign the pledge below to show your support for camels.
Pledge to Boycott Cruel Camel Joyrides
I hereby pledge that I will not patronise rides which use camels, and I will encourage my friends and family members to take the pledge as well. I urge state governments to ban joyrides on camels and pass a prohibition against taking camels into their states.
