True love overcomes any distance

This is the fifth year in a row that the stork, named Rodan, has made the journey from Africa to return to his handicapped mate in Croatia.

ZAGREB, March 25, 2010 (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.