March 29th, 2010 at 10:57 am by Melanie Mullen

ZAGREB (AFP) - A male stork proved once again that distance is no bar to true love as it flew thousands of kilometres (miles) back to its handicapped mate in a Croatian village, local media said Thursday.
This is the fifth year in a row that the stork, named Rodan, has made the epic journey of some 13,000 kilometers (8,060 miles) from South Africa to the village of Brodski Varos, in eastern Croatia, the Jutarnji List daily reported.
“This year he came a bit earlier,” Stjepan Vokic, who cares for the female stork, named Malena, unable to fly since hunters shot through its wing, told the paper.
Rodan looked rather exhausted, Vokic added.
Every year the couple has raised a brood of chicks which Rodan has taught to fly since Malena cannot, Vokic said. This year is expected to be no different.
In August, Rodan and the young will start to prepare for their long journey to winter in South Africa while Malena remains in Brodski Varos until the return of its mate in the spring.

9 Responses to “”

  1. Rafael says:

    That Malena must be an angel, wonder why its name starts with an “M”…

  2. Rafael says:

    That Malena must be an angel, wonder why its name starts with an M…

  3. Rodan and Malena, a story for the ages, nice.

  4. natalie says:

    that brought a happy tear. beautiful.

  5. Rafael says:

    If I had wings I would be heading north.

  6. rebel with a cause says:

    Damn hunters

  7. TheGoodDoc says:

    What a beautiful story……geez I know people on the west end of Toronto who couldn’t handle dating an East ender!
    ……….it being such long distance and all…

  8. That is when bikes come in handy

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