The Urban Animal Project: Cattle Ward (Cam 1)
Director: Nisha Vasudevan
Duration: 00:13:53; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 21.818; Saturation: 0.076; Lightness: 0.239; Volume: 0.242; Cuts per Minute: 6.908
Summary: Cities are not “natural habitats”. However, over the years cities have become the spaces in which many animals have evolved; they are now the homes on which they have imprinted. The Urban Animal Project aims to document these species against the backdrop of a cityscape.
This is a work-in-progress which will be conducted in many phases, the first of which looks at land mammals in the city of Mumbai. Phase I delves into the reasons these animals are present in such a physical environment as opposed to existing in the wild. At the same time, it investigates what provisions are available for them and whether or not they are implemented. These laws are looked into with reference and from the point of view of municipal bodies, non-profit organisations, veterinary practice and the current curriculum, the meat and dairy industries, beasts of burden, animal trade and the role of superstition, among others.
Over time, The Urban Animal Project is expected to expand into marine life, protected areas within cities, birds, monsoon ecosystems and hopefully many other areas.
This set of clips have been shot at the cattle ward of the animal hospital at Parel, and joined (in no particular order) until the time that they are edited into the documentary.
Currently being worked on by Namaah Kumar, Reema Sengupta, Falak Mulchandani and Nisha Vasudevan. Each phase of The Urban Animal Project will be edited into short documentaries.
This goat was hit by a tempo. The impact broke her leg. Her owners brought her to the hospital where she is recuperating with her kid.
Mumbai
Cattle Ward, Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals, Parel
beasts of burden
cattle
donkey
horse
space
wheat
We wondered for ages why this goat refused to sit down on its hind legs. Were its front legs hurt? Were its hind legs not bending?
Turns out it has hurt its tail.
Records are kept at the cattle ward - the BMC too, is supposed to keep records. The Urban Animal Project aims to find out if those records are in order!
Mother goat is ironically given the male name "Sultan". Her owners say she will take a week to recover.
The cattle ward has many donkeys and horses in it too. These are either very sick, or very old animals which have either been abandoned when they've served their purpose, or been left here to be treated.
This old, wise looking ram held our attention for ages. It's face was smeared with red, and it sat against this red wall looking so devilish that it was hard not to stand around in awe.
This albino horse was kept away from the horse ward on account of being very sick and aggressive.
This donkey has a severely infected eye. On being asked what happened to it the wardboy replied simply - "It's spoilt."
Are the people working in the wards aware of what ailment each animal has? Or could it be that some information was lost in the nuance of language, that he simply did not know how to convey what the exact problem was?
Several calves are born here, and on other occasions many cows are brought to the ward with their children.
These contraptions work as harnesses for the animals.
This conversation is about the aforementioned harnesses. The animal handler is saying that when the animals are too weak to stand they are harnessed in this manner.
As you can see the ward is relatively neat and clean, with good lighting and ventilation. There is no overcrowding.
This cat is quite the cosy resident at the horse and cattle wards. One finds it nestled away in not-so-secret corners, often mewling, almost always being fed.
Feeding time at the cattle ward! Each animal gets its own bowl of food, that is to say, wheat.
And sometimes they have to be deterred from stealing another animal's food.
This cow has been injured badly, it's hoof has come off.
The handler says cows generally live for 20-22 years. The hoof will probably take 4-5 months to grow back. Until that time it is being treated here.
It looks to be in a lot of pain.
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