ABSTRACT
Working animals including oxen, equids, camelids and elephants are estimated to support over 1 billion people, most of whom reside in developing countries and in vulnerable populations. The animals are a natural resource and provide draught power in agriculture and industry, and act as transportation for people and goods. This provides an income, resilience to climatic and political change, social well-being and protection of biodiversity. The importance of the animals is largely unrecognised with legislation concerning welfare, and supporting infrastructure, such as veterinary services almost entirely lacking. Associate issues resultant from these and other intersectional weaknesses are far reaching and include increasing zoonoses, emergence of transboundary diseases, environmental pollution and antibiotic resistance. This is alongside loss of animals due to poor welfare and endemic disease as well as emergent crises such as demand for donkey skin products causing the collapse of animal populations. The effects on peoples’ livelihoods and health are unmeasurable. Increasing acceptance of the One Health concept has given priority to many of the animals with special regard to the United Nations adoption of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals which address many of the intersectional weaknesses and global demands for change. Greater input from national governments and local municipalities, and from international recognition for action is needed to both raise awareness and provide lobbying and support for change. This chapter presents the issues faced by working animals, the multiplicity of reasons behind the problems, evidence for greater awareness and inclusion in national agendas, and proposed actions, which need to be taken.
