Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

This Stork Has Been Flying 13,000 Km Each Year For 16 Years To See His Injured Soulmate
User submission
4K
32.8K

Stork Shows Devotion By Flying 13,000 km For The Last 16 Years To His Injured Soulmate

ADVERTISEMENT

A fascinating love story of storks Klepetan and Malena continues to melt people’s hearts all around the world. For the 16th time, a devoted male stork Klepetan flew thousands of kilometers back home to his handicapped mate who can’t fly.

It all began more than 20 years ago when a kind-hearted widower Stjepan Vokic found the female stork badly injured by hunters. Vokic decided to give her a second chance at life by adopting and taking care of her. On the rooftop of the man’s house, Malena and Klepetan’s love blossomed. At first, it seemed that their relationship was doomed because Malena was unable to migrate with her mate at the end of summer. Nevertheless, their love persisted. Each year Klepeton leaves Malena to the Vokic’s care and migrates to South Africa, flying back home to his love every March.

Scroll down to see this peculiar relationship for yourself and check out the story we wrote about them a few years ago.

More info: total-croatia-news.com

For the 16th time, a devoted male stork Klepetan flew thousands of kilometers back home to his handicapped mate Malena

Image credits: Domagoj Sever

More than 20 years ago Malena was adopted by Stjepan Vokic after her wing was injured by hunters

Image credits: Jana Water

Stjepan gave Malena a second chance at life by taking care of her

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: AFP

On the rooftop of the man’s house, Malena and Klepetan’s love blossomed

Image credits: Ivo Biocina

Since Malena was unable to fly, the chances of her new relationship to last were slim

Image credits: Katerina Zvonic

Nevertheless, the love of this amazing stork couple persisted

Image credits: Alan Stankovic

After leaving Malena at Stjepan’s care Klepetan migrates to South Africa at the end of every summer

Image credits: Alan Stankovic

But he never fails to come back home to her at the beginning of spring

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Total Croatia News

ADVERTISEMENT

33Kviews

Share on Facebook
Andželika

Andželika

Author, Community member

Read more »

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

Read less »
Andželika

Andželika

Author, Community member

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think?
Add photo comments
POST
glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I'm not mistaken, storks mate for life--so the fact that this one keeps coming back every year to her regardless makes this relationship extra touching.

monilip avatar
Monilip
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, they do. And sometimes, when one of the pair is too injured to find food, the other one stays with first one whole Winter.

Load More Replies...
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the kind of story we want to see on Bored Panda! No "The Internet is all [verb] about XYZ", no "People were quick to react: [Facebook], [Facebook], [Facebook]", just a nice story!

Load More Comments
glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I'm not mistaken, storks mate for life--so the fact that this one keeps coming back every year to her regardless makes this relationship extra touching.

monilip avatar
Monilip
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, they do. And sometimes, when one of the pair is too injured to find food, the other one stays with first one whole Winter.

Load More Replies...
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the kind of story we want to see on Bored Panda! No "The Internet is all [verb] about XYZ", no "People were quick to react: [Facebook], [Facebook], [Facebook]", just a nice story!

Load More Comments
You May Like
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda