Fly 14,000 km every year to visit lover

Every March, the stork Klepetan flies from South Africa to the village of Brodski Varos, Croatia, to visit his mate Malena, according toOddity Central.During this time, the two would become close and have more children. After that, Klepetan would teach the children to fly and then take them on the 14,000 km journey back to South Africa. Having been shot and unable to fly, Malena would stay behind, waiting until March of the following year to reunite with her lover.

Mr. Stjepan Vokic, 71 years old,look after local schools andHe lives alone, since his wife passed away a few years ago.Vokic began raising Malena in 1993, after finding the female near a pond. At that time, Malena had been shot and injured by a hunter and could have become a meal for foxes or other animals, if Vokic had not taken her home to care for her. The injury was so severe that Malena has since been unable to fly.

Two storks entwined each other every March. Photo: Youtube.

Since bringing Malena home, Mr. Vokic has built her a nest, installed a heating system and even built a fish pond. In addition, he regularly bathes the stork and applies cream to her feet to keep them from drying out. Thanks to that, by the time Klepetan arrives in early spring, Malena is ready to give birth. To date, the "lovers" have had a total of 62 baby storks together.

"I take Malena with me when I go fishing, and even watch TV with her,"AFPquoted Mr. Vokic. "If that day, I had left it in the pond, it would have probably become prey for foxes. Because it changed its fate.MalenaSo now I will be responsible for its life."

Klepetan wore a tracking collar on one leg, and his last migration destination was Cape Town, South Africa, about 14,500 km from Brodski Varos. Klepetan had to fly for more than a month to return to his mate Malena.

Mr. Vokic shared that every time Klepetan comes, he feels like one of his sons comes home to visit.

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