Stork ‘Yaren’ returns to Turkish fisherman Yilmaz for 13th time

Yaren the Stork reunites with human friend Adem Yilmaz in Türkiye’s Eskikaraagac Stork Village for the 13th consecutive year

In a heartwarming display of friendship that has captured millions of hearts worldwide, Yaren the Stork has once again returned to its human friend, fisherman Adem Yilmaz, in Türkiye’s Bursa Province, Eskikaraagac Stork Village, marking the 13th year of their remarkable reunion. Yilmaz noted that Yaren arrived earlier this year, expressing his gratitude and anticipation for the days ahead.

For 13 springs now, Yaren has been migrating back to its nest in Eskikaraagac, a village that represents Türkiye in the European Stork Villages Network and stands on a crucial migratory path for thousands of storks. This year, the stork made its appearance on Feb. 29, eagerly awaited by Yilmaz and the community.

The friendship began 13 years ago when Yaren landed on Yilmaz’s boat while he was fishing on Uluabat Lake. The story gained international fame, inspiring shadow plays in Greece, inclusion in textbooks in Austria and Germany, and a documentary titled “Yaren,” which won the Best Documentary award at the Prague Film Awards in 2019.

Last year, Karacabey Municipality immortalized this friendship with a statue of Yilmaz and Yaren in the village square.

This enchanting tale has sparked a surge in tourism, with thousands of nature enthusiasts visiting Eskikaraagac annually to witness the storks and the legendary friendship.

Karacabey Mayor Ali Ozkan announced the launch of a live stream, allowing people around the world to watch Yaren the Stork 24/7 via yarenleylek.com or YouTube, further solidifying the stork’s status as a beloved figure and drawing attention to the village’s unique charm and conservation efforts.

Source: Newsroom

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