site.btaGreen Balkans Wildlife Rescue Center Releases 24 Storks into the Wild

A total of 24 storks, which were patients or were raised at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Center in Stara Zagora, were released into the wild on Wednesday. They were released into a specially built artificial nest near Radnevo (South Bulgaria).

At the beginning of the initiative, 30 storks underwent special examinations and check-ups, involving dozens of volunteers, and then the birds were dewormed and prepared for release. All storks were marked with special rings. Most of them ended up at the Rescue Center as babies, but some were also admitted with injuries, Adriana Dzhamalova, a veterinarian with the organization, told BTA. "The most severe injuries in storks are related to problems with their wings or tangled fishing line around their legs. We are trying to develop a methodology for fitting artificial limbs. We have been working successfully in this way for many years and continue to develop it so that even more storks can be returned to the wild," said the veterinarian.

Every year, the Rescue Centre releases between 180 and 200 storks.

Currently, the Rescue Centre has about 500 patients, and more than 2,000 pass through it annually. Among them are animals that have suffered from the fires in the country – turtles, owls, storks, as well as a baby European honey buzzard rescued by a citizen.