Each August, a male stork named Klepetan leaves his soulmate Malena to migrate to South Africa. She can't fly with him - her wing was injured by a hunter 22 years ago, so she patiently waits for him in their humble nest. The faithful Klepetan has been returning to Malena like clockwork every March for the last 15 years.
Stjepan Vokić, a former school janitor, takes care of Malena while Klepetan is away. The birds have built their love nest on his rooftop in the small village of Brodski Varoš, Croatia. The man confirms that it's the same bird when Klepetan came back this March. "He went straight to the bucket of fish, which was empty because I was not expecting him yet, and only he knows where to find it," Vokić told Total Croatia News. "Then, of course, he went to the nest just like every other year. That’s Klepetan alright."
(h/t: thedodo, totalcroatianews)
Each year, a male stork named Klepetan flies 13,000 km to come back to his soulmate Malena
She can't migrate to South Africa with him - her wing was injured by a hunter 22 years ago
So she patiently waits for Klepetan to come back to their humble nest in Croatia
Stjepan Vokić, a former school janitor, takes care of Malena while Klepetan is away
The stork couple raises their little ones every year
"He went straight to the bucket of fish, which was empty because I was not expecting him yet, and only he knows where to find it," said Vokić
"Then, of course, he went to the nest just like every other year. That’s Klepetan alright"
Watch the video here:
Much like the unwavering dedication displayed by Klepetan as he journeys back to his beloved Malena each year, the story highlights the profound connection they share despite the challenges they face. This enduring love resonates with the familiar tale of their compelling bond.
For more insights into how the couple has remained steadfast through adversities, consider exploring their journey on how Malena's story unfolds with hope and resilience.