This is the story of an extraordinary stork… a stork with a name – Anton.
And why Anton? Because everything began on Antonovden (St. Anthony’s Day) – the day fate brought him together with the people who would give him a second chance. On that day, an exhausted and distressed bird came under the care of Stanimira Stoyanova, head nurse at University Hospital „Deva Maria“. The hospital team provided the first vital care for the brave traveller, helping it survive.
Shortly after, the hospital contacted Green Balkans for assistance. This marked the next stage of Anton’s journey – to the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Stara Zagora, where it spent the winter undergoing treatment, rehabilitation, and careful care.
When spring arrived, Anton was ready for freedom. It was released back into the wild – this time with something special: a GPS transmitter that allows our specialists to track its journey. This is also one of our key activities, especially around the village of Belozem – the European Stork Village, where we study the life and migrations of these remarkable birds with the support of our partners “FUTURE – You & The Planet”.
After its release, Anton headed northeast. It flew over Romania and eventually reached Moldova. There, it once again met kind-hearted people – exhausted, it received help, and the locals contacted us after noticing the contact information displayed on its transmitter.
The map data from the device reveals the incredible journey – today, Anton is in western Ukraine. And it has stayed there. Perhaps this is no coincidence. Perhaps this is the place where it was originally hatched, and where instinct has brought it back.
Will it find a mate? Will it build a family and successfully raise its offspring?
We believe it will. And we will continue following Anton’s story – because every bird carries its own story, and every story brings us closer to understanding the wild. A wild nature that takes care of us, humans, by providing all the resources we need. That is why we are obliged to take care of it in return.
And why Anton? Because everything began on Antonovden (St. Anthony’s Day) – the day fate brought him together with the people who would give him a second chance. On that day, an exhausted and distressed bird came under the care of Stanimira Stoyanova, head nurse at University Hospital „Deva Maria“. The hospital team provided the first vital care for the brave traveller, helping it survive.
Shortly after, the hospital contacted Green Balkans for assistance. This marked the next stage of Anton’s journey – to the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Stara Zagora, where it spent the winter undergoing treatment, rehabilitation, and careful care.
When spring arrived, Anton was ready for freedom. It was released back into the wild – this time with something special: a GPS transmitter that allows our specialists to track its journey. This is also one of our key activities, especially around the village of Belozem – the European Stork Village, where we study the life and migrations of these remarkable birds with the support of our partners “FUTURE – You & The Planet”.
After its release, Anton headed northeast. It flew over Romania and eventually reached Moldova. There, it once again met kind-hearted people – exhausted, it received help, and the locals contacted us after noticing the contact information displayed on its transmitter.
The map data from the device reveals the incredible journey – today, Anton is in western Ukraine. And it has stayed there. Perhaps this is no coincidence. Perhaps this is the place where it was originally hatched, and where instinct has brought it back.
Will it find a mate? Will it build a family and successfully raise its offspring?
We believe it will. And we will continue following Anton’s story – because every bird carries its own story, and every story brings us closer to understanding the wild. A wild nature that takes care of us, humans, by providing all the resources we need. That is why we are obliged to take care of it in return.
