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

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

After Damaging His Wing, This Stork Will Never Fly Again, But He Enjoys A Wholesome Life With A Woman Who Rescued Him
After Damaging His Wing, This Stork Will Never Fly Again, But He Enjoys A Wholesome Life With A Woman Who Rescued Him
User submission
292

After Damaging His Wing, This Stork Will Never Fly Again, But He Enjoys A Wholesome Life With A Woman Who Rescued Him

Interview With Owner

165

ADVERTISEMENT

An unconscious young stork was brought for emergency vet care in the Mogilev region in Belarus after being caught in high-voltage power lines and falling to the ground. He damaged his wing and beak and underwent surgery in which a part of his wing was removed. Nobody believed he was going to make it.

Elena Ersh broke the laws of nature, and though storks are far from your common pets, took him in, determined to save him, because any animal deserves a chance at life. Gosha will never fly again, but it shouldn’t limit him to have less of a life than any other animal. It will be different, but happy nevertheless, and Elena will make sure of it.

While his recovery will be long and challenging, this lucky stork has great support from his new family and thousands of fans online. In fact, Gosha might be the most pampered stork on the planet: he has his private enclosure with a pond, the finest food, regular pets and talks, private rides to the vet, and unconditional love and care of a kind-hearted human.

Read Gosha’s full story below and follow Elena and her stork on TikTok and Instagram for more recovery updates and wholesome adventures from their everyday life.

More info: tiktok.com | Instagram

RELATED:

    A young stork was caught up in high-voltage power lines while building a nest

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Electrocuted, he fell to the ground unconscious, damaging his wing and beak

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Vets performed a surgery on him, removing half of his wing, but didn’t think he would survive

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    “I found out about a young stork who had been caught in high-voltage power lines, electrocuted, lost his conscience, and fell down to the ground in Mogilev region in Belarus. He had a broken wing and a damaged beak. Local people brought him to a veterinary clinic where he received an urgent care; a part of his wing was removed,” Elena told Bored Panda.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    This is where Elena stepped in a week later and decided to give this little guy a chance at life and brought him home

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    “When I found out about this stork, I went to get him without any hesitation. I saw a little sick and helpless stork who lied there and didn’t even lift his head. There was a lot of pain and despair in his eyes.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Elena wrapped Gosha with unconditional love and care and was determined to save him

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    At the beginning, he would sleep on their balcony at night to keep him safe from wild animals and during the day, he would enjoy the outdoors

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The family then built a 100 square meters temporary enclosure for Gosha with a pond where he would feel safe and comfortable

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    He will also have a little house for winter

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    But Gosha seemed depressed and couldn’t stand on his feet

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    At one vet clinic, Elena was told the stork was faking his condition, but Elena knew something was really wrong

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I called all private vet clinics looking for an ornithologist and I have found one vet in Mogilev. After examining the bird, he said that if I had waited longer, he would have died because his wing was infected. He went into surgery on the same day which lasted around 3 hours. Doctors removed more of his wing, cleaned it, and prescribed a treatment.”

    Finally, after consulting with the only ornithologist in Mogilev, they found out that his wound got infected and he needed urgent surgery again

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    The vet said he might never wake up from anesthesia, so the 3-hour long waiting time was extremely stressful for Gosha’s new parents

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Gosha was prescribed antibiotics to help him recover

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    “I treated him with antibiotics and vitamins for 10 days and massaged his legs. In a week, he was able to stand up on his feet and attempted walking! He is still struggling to walk because of the lack of balance due to a removed wing. But he is learning and I am sure I’ll see Goshenka run one day.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    After a long treatment and rehabilitation, Gosha finally started attempting to stand up

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Gosha was doing fantastic, started to adapt to his new life and raise his wing every time he saw his human

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Gosha’s living conditions were evaluated by the environmental committee and he’s officially part of Elena’s family

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Unfortunately, the stitches on his wings have recently split open, so he’s back on antibiotics

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    His recovery is going to be long and draining, but he has a great and loving team by his side

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Now he eats and drinks very well. He even hunts for beetles and worms on our territory. We feed him beef, chicken, and fish. He will never be able to fly again but we plan to try a prosthetic wing in the future.”

    Elena regularly posts Gosha’s recovery and adventures on TikTok and their growing bond is the most wholesome thing. Thousands of people are rooting for Gosha

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Gosha loves cuddles and his walks to the lake. Elena was surprised with how intelligent and affectionate the 1-year-old bird is

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    Gosha will never fly again but despite that, he can have a happy life

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Sometimes the best way to help someone is to just be around”

    Image credits: elena_ershh

    6Kviews

    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    Read more »

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    Read less »
    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    My name is Violeta and I am an editor here at Bored Panda. I love reading memes for a living. It’s obviously much more than that, but I appreciate the variety of topics, information, and pics I get to see every day and share with the world! Those funny memes really make my day too. Being born in the ’90s in post-Soviet Lithuania speaks more about me than I’d like to admit. I’m still learning about the world and myself, but I do love my friends, traveling, art, and my cat. My favorite fact to share about myself is that I used to hide meatballs in my friend’s pockets at lunch so I could go play outside. I wish all those meatballs could find their way back to me someday.

    Read less »

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    My name is Violeta and I am an editor here at Bored Panda. I love reading memes for a living. It’s obviously much more than that, but I appreciate the variety of topics, information, and pics I get to see every day and share with the world! Those funny memes really make my day too. Being born in the ’90s in post-Soviet Lithuania speaks more about me than I’d like to admit. I’m still learning about the world and myself, but I do love my friends, traveling, art, and my cat. My favorite fact to share about myself is that I used to hide meatballs in my friend’s pockets at lunch so I could go play outside. I wish all those meatballs could find their way back to me someday.

    What do you think ?
    Cherie of Numenor
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love an update to this story!!

    Isa
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is an amzing story. The love and dedication that lady has to the this "little" bird its unbeliveble. I am so glad that he had the luck to find someone that could help him...so many twists in his health...I do hope that he gets better soon and keep going in a happy life!

    Norma
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    More like this, please.

    debrina blackmoon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow-I hope he lives a long time(idk how long they can live, tho')!

    Jette Wang Wahnon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Denmark we have a certain number of storks,all numbered and monitored.The stork is a big part of danish folklore and history and we love them.Occationally there will be injured ones and they are taken care of and nursed back to health.This story is not unique,but I am so happy that it seems to have a positive outcome..

    Easily Excitable Panda
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder what we could learn about storks' intelligence in general from Elena and Gosha?

    denzoren
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stories like these really give me back faith in humanity. Hats off to her!

    Load More Comments
    Cherie of Numenor
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love an update to this story!!

    Isa
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is an amzing story. The love and dedication that lady has to the this "little" bird its unbeliveble. I am so glad that he had the luck to find someone that could help him...so many twists in his health...I do hope that he gets better soon and keep going in a happy life!

    Norma
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    More like this, please.

    debrina blackmoon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow-I hope he lives a long time(idk how long they can live, tho')!

    Jette Wang Wahnon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Denmark we have a certain number of storks,all numbered and monitored.The stork is a big part of danish folklore and history and we love them.Occationally there will be injured ones and they are taken care of and nursed back to health.This story is not unique,but I am so happy that it seems to have a positive outcome..

    Easily Excitable Panda
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder what we could learn about storks' intelligence in general from Elena and Gosha?

    denzoren
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stories like these really give me back faith in humanity. Hats off to her!

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