Mahim resident Ranjeet Keluskar desolate after pet African Grey parrot, Alex (fondly called Pappu), disappears after flying out of balcony a month ago; the African Grey Congo bird and Keluskar’s other Grey African Parrot, Sweety, who is still at home, were ‘conversing’ in their ‘avian’ lingo
Alex eating a red jamun (rose apple) fruit. Pics/By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
It seemed like an ordinary day on June 27. Mahim resident Ranjeet Keluskar was cleaning his pet parrot Alex’s cage in the afternoon. The African Grey Congo bird and Keluskar’s other Grey African Parrot, Sweety, who is still at home, were ‘conversing’ in their ‘avian’ lingo. Since cleaning was on, the cage door was slightly ajar, said Keluskar, indicating the spot inside his home from where his pet Alex, who goes by the nickname ‘Pappu’, flew from.
“I have two nets outside the balcony. There was painting work going on in my building. The painters had removed those nets, I had unfortunately not noticed, and Alex was out of his cage and flew out of the balcony in a trice,” said Keluskar. “From then on, it has been an absolute, desperate hunt for Pappu,” said Keluskar, using Alex’s nickname.
Ranjeet Keluskar with Sweety, his other African Grey Congo Parrot, at his home. Pics/ATUL KAMBLE
“Even Sweety has been so lonely without him. She misses him desperately.” Keluskar bought Alex from a Kalyan breeder for '43,000 five years ago, when Alex was two months old. His wings are slightly clipped. As a result, he can fly low and he is grey, with a darker beak and red tail. He is registered on the National Government Portal.
Alex on his favourite spot, perched on Ranjeet Keluskar’s left shoulder. PIC/By Special Arrangement
The species
Wikipedia reads, “A grey parrot is usually medium to large-sized, predominantly grey and black-billed. Its typical weight is 400g with an approximate length of 13 inches. The head and wings are generally darker than the body. The head and body feathers have slight white edges; the tail feathers are red. The species is common in captivity and regularly kept by humans as a companion parrot, prized for its ability to mimic human speech, which makes it one of the most popular avian pets. An escaped pet in Japan was returned to its owner after repeating the owner’s name and address.”
The flier saying Alex is missing
Keluskar said even as he brought Sweety outside her cage, and she perched on his arm. “I have been having disturbed sleep for weeks. I filed a missing pet complaint at the Mahim police station on July 12. I have also put fliers in daily newspapers, especially in the Mahim area, asking people to contact me if they spot an African Grey.”
A reward
Keluskar’s flier starts with the headline: ‘Alex is Lost,’ and a picture of Alex alongside. The text reads: “Our Alex has been missing since 27th June. Last seen: Around Victoria Church & around Moghal Lane. He’s a homebird, and his sister Sweety is very lonely. If you’ve seen him, please get in touch. Reward for info or safe return.” There are contact numbers at the end of the flier.
Animal communicator
Keluskar said of his efforts. “I have enlisted the help of animal communicators, too. A few days ago, I got a message from animal communicator, Arati Pitale, that ‘Pappu’ was seen at the Victoria School gate.”
I rushed there only to learn that the School has two gates. It must have flown away. I got a message from the communicator on my phone saying that Alex has stated, ‘Ranjeet, do not get wet in the rain. Go home, I will come tomorrow.’”
Keluskar claimed another animal communicator, Soha Kulkarni, said Alex was in a building near Paradise cinema, Mahim. “Helped by some friends, we went to a particular building. The people inside insisted that they did not ‘have’ Alex. I even told them if they did, I would give them another parrot, but they insisted that they did not.”
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Our children
Keluskar’s friend Aditi Limaye Kamat, who is a parrot parent herself, said, “I know how it feels to lose a pet, same like losing your child. I, too, am spreading the word. Word has actually got around in Mahim. A flower vendor in the vicinity called me the other day, asking if we had found Alex. When I said ‘no’, he said, I will continue praying. A parrot is like a child; one will do everything to try and get him back.”
Pista power
Meanwhile, Keluskar said, “Alex used to love pistas. I used to feed him pistas. He also ate sunflower seeds, eggs and fruits, especially red jaam. In the mornings, Alex would ‘order’ andaa-pav (eggs and bread) from the breadwala who arrives in the building daily. He used to say, Pavwala 6 anda (eggs) leke upar aana’ (Breadwala bring six eggs and come upstairs), as soon as he spotted him downstairs in the building. Alex would chant, ‘Jai Shree Ram’ and ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ too.” Keluskar truly misses Alex’s quotidian comfort and companionship.
Former Mahim corporator Sheetal Gambhir Desai said, “I am aware that Alex is missing. I called the police to help, too. I believe he is a cute bird and used to speak as well. I pray that Ranjeet Keluskar finds Alex. He was very depressed, upset and desperate to find Alex when I met him.” The retired travel professional added, along with Kamat as Sweety moved to his right shoulder, “If you have any clue about Alex, please do let us know. We are sure there’s still hope and genuine people around.”
If you have any information about Alex (Pappu), contact
Ranjeet Keluskar
7021980787
Aditi L Kamat
9820297705
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