By John Harvey (Senior Veterinary Advisor)
12 Aug 2011

Today started early at 5.30 am when we, (myself and Tamsin Fussey, Brooke Veterinary Resources Advisor) visited a community that the Brooke is just starting to work with in India, the Qalanders.

This community makes a living from breeding mule foals on the flood plains of the Yamuna and Ganges rivers. Qalanders were traditionally nomadic people and excluded from mainstream society. The floodplains are viewed by most as wasteland, and it was here they were able to find a niche.

On meeting the Qalanders we quickly realised they were among the most knowledgeable equine owners in India, showing a great understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the common diseases afflicting their animals. Unfortunately the community’s equines are plagued by a disease known as Surra. This infectious disease is spread by mosquitoes which thrive in the marshland environment the Qalander inhabit and symptoms include fever, weight loss, weakness and swelling of the limbs. During our visit we saw at least three or four cases including a young foal and it was clear that this represents only the tip of the iceberg. 

Understanding welfare issues

Refreshingly, the majority of the Qalander horses were roaming in large herds in beautiful green pastures where they were free to socially interact and grazing naturally. Unfortunately the Qalander people feel unable to set their donkey stallions free in the same way. They are concerned that turnout will make these donkeys unruly resulting in injury and loss through fighting. As a result the donkey stallions are kept tethered by the foot in the homesteads. 

Both Tamsin and I had a strong sense of how frustrated and bored these animals were. The tightness of the tethers prohibited them from any social interaction and they frequently looked uncomfortable trying to manoeuvre round their small two metre circle of allocated space, reacting with agitation when any other animals came near. 

The delicate balance of life

We were given a real insight into the limitations of these animal’s lives, when we were taken to examine a donkey that had collapsed and was near to death and yet still tethered. There was sadly no hope of recovery for the animal, the owner was not present and euthanasia is not a concept to which this community has ever been exposed.  Not wanting to give up we headed off in the monsoon rains to find the owner who was tending his grazing horses. After some discussions involving key community figures it was agreed that euthanasia could take place. 

This is a major step forward for the Brooke team who have only just started to work with this reclusive community who would traditionally reject euthanasia as they believe God is the only taker of life. 

Find out more about the Brooke’s approach in working with communities and influencing.