Reaching out to the animals : A duck as pet
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2026: Sandham Debala, a soft spoken 28-year-old woman, believes that even wild birds and animals can, to some extent, understand human language when they are treated with affection and care.

A resident of Itam Nungoi Khunou in Imphal East, Debala currently has two bulbuls (a medium sized songbird), Kaluhan and Kaluton, along with a duck, a cat and a dog as pets.

While keeping a duck as a pet may sound unusual, Pipicha, the duck raised by Debala, follows her around much like a pet dog.

Adding to the adoring bond among her pets, the dog and cat often share food, while the cat does not chase the birds.

Reaching out to the animals : A duck as pet

It is this harmonious relationship among the different species that makes Debala's story particularly fascinating.

Debala said she finds happiness and a sense of fulfilment in being around birds and animals.

The eldest daughter of Sandham Brojen and Saya, Debala told The Sangai Express that being close to birds and animals is a world in itself.

She said that spending time with them has given her a different perspective on life and helped her develop a deep sense of affection and responsibility towards them.

Debala said that she had wanted to be around birds and animals since she was a child.

Saying that she feels saddened whenever she comes across the killing of birds and animals, she said she always questions why a life should be taken and whether there is anything wrong with treating them with affection and care.

Gaining the trust of living creatures, however, is not easy, she emphasised.

Stating that understanding their habits and dietary needs is essential, Debala maintained that patience, affection and proper care are necessary to build a bond with them.

She said she began caring for birds and animals in 2016-17 after rescuing a drenched bulbul that could not fly and was just beginning to grow feathers.

She said the chick was found in her backyard during a storm.

Saying that she wrapped the wild bird in a warm, soft cloth and began feeding it insects, she said the chick gradually became familiar with her as she regularly showed affection and care.

Debala said that the satisfaction she felt when the bird responded to her was priceless.

Birds are very sensitive beings, she said, adding that their responses vary greatly depending on how they are spoken to and treated.

Pipicha was not hatched by its mother.

She said she found the egg with a duckling inside that was unable to break through the shell.

She said the mother duck had abandoned the egg while the duckling was still inside, prompting her to intervene and help it hatch.

Now, Pipicha follows Debala wherever she goes, much like a child following her mother.

She said she had kept other birds in the past like robin, owl, pigeon, swallow etc, but some eventually rejoined their flocks after reaching adulthood, while others died.

Saying that people started calling her a "bird whisperer" after she began posting about the birds online, she added that many people also approached her to raise birds for them.

Even though the pet birds fly away during the day, they return when she calls them or when they are hungry, she said.

Debala said she faces many challenges in raising the birds, including finding food for them, ensuring their safety and making sure they do not feel threatened.

She said the birds trust her because she feeds and cares for them with genuine affection and compassion.

She said she keeps the birds in cages at night, covering them with a soft cloth to protect them from predators.

Saying that she had also taken steps to prevent hunting in her surrounding areas to ensure the safety of her pet birds, Debala said she received a positive response from the people to the initiative.

Debala also has a cat and a dog as pets, and they live harmoniously with the birds and the duck.

She said they have all been raised together with care and affection.

Treating living creatures with kindness is akin to worshipping God, she said, adding that being around them makes her feel calm and grateful.