After more than three months of anxious searching, Pappu, the beloved African grey parrot who flew away from his Mahim home in June, has finally returned. His owner, Ranjeet Keluskar, who never gave up hope, was reunited with his talkative pet on Saturday evening, after a tip-off led him straight to the missing bird — just a lane away from where it had vanished.
Eleven heaven
The missing parrot was found on Saturday, October 11, in the evening. Said Keluskar, “On Saturday, I got a call from an unknown person on my mobile phone. The same man had called me 10 days earlier. He insisted that he knew ‘Pappu’ was at a home in a lane next to the defunct Paradise cinema in Mahim. A family, which already kept birds, he claimed had found the parrot in their building compound and taken him home. I enlisted the help of the cops and went to the home of the family, my caller said he was at.
Pappu enjoying a fruit at his home
A lady answered the door, and after some hesitation, she handed over Pappu to me after her son urged her to. The police accompanied me. Pappu was registered on the National Government Portal. I had filed a missing pet complaint at the Mahim police station on July 12. I had also put fliers in daily newspapers, especially in the Mahim area, asking people to contact me if they spot an African Grey, and this paper (mid-day) had also reported details, including my contact number. All that came together and helped.”
Marathi speaking
Keluskar claimed the caller who first tipped him off about ‘Pappu’ said that the parrot was talking in Marathi, and he was not housed with a Marathi family. “I learnt that Pappu was saying ‘paus aala’ (it has started raining),” said Keluskar from the caller. “I had gone to this home carrying a big purse/bag. When handed over, ‘Pappu’ immediately sat on my left shoulder. I fed him some pistachios, his favourite food. I took him back to my home. Here, he has been reunited with my other African Grey Parrot and Pappu`s sister, ‘Sweety’. He seems joyous, flying around in his big cage.” Keluskar, who is a retired travel professional, also observed that, “Pappu has learnt some Konkani, most probably from the family that had him. I am so happy right now, quite emotional too.”
Keluskar has a signing-off message for pet owners who are looking for their missing pets. We also witness a number of missing pets reports during Diwali, as dogs, especially, are scared off by firecrackers and tend to run away. “First of all, do not lose hope. I used to say a special mantra daily, in my endeavour to get Pappu back. Spread the word in the vicinity; you just never know who has seen your pet. Get in touch with an animal communicator/whisperer. Even during your search, an animal communicator can indicate, at least approximately, where your pet may be. Arati Pitale, an animal communicator, has said: Animals decide when to come home.” Pappu’s decision means the Diwali lights will shine brighter for Ranjeet Keluskar this season.
