06/21/2026
Did you know a stork flew 13,000 km back to his flightless partner every spring for nearly 20 years?
In 1993, janitor Stjepan Vokić found a wounded stork in the Croatian village Brodski Varoš. Shot by hunters, Malena could never fly again. While other storks migrated to Africa, she stayed behind; Vokić built her a nest and sheltered her through the winters.
Around 2001 her mate Klepetan arrived. Each winter he flew 13,000 km to South Africa, and for nearly two decades returned every spring to Malena. Together they raised about 66 chicks; Klepetan taught them to fly, since Malena could not.
Malena died in 2021 of old age, with Klepetan beside her. Vokić, who had cared for her 28 years, buried her in her favourite place. Klepetan still returns to the village.
Sources: BBC, Reuters, Croatia Week, Total Croatia News