Once extinct in Denmark, the white stork is making a comeback, with the highest number of nestlings in decades, raising hopes it may again become a familiar sight in the Nordic country.
Thirty-three stork nestlings were born to 13 nesting pairs in the Danish countryside in 2025, up from 15 last year and the highest number since the 1980s, according to Storks Denmark, a volunteer group supporting the species’ return.
The white stork population, once thriving with some 4,000 nesting pairs in Denmark in the late 19th century, declined sharply due to the expansion of agriculture and the loss of wetlands, leading to its local extinction in 2008.
The recent rebound is attributed to warmer weather altering migration patterns and to conservation efforts, although challenges remain.
"The way we have our agriculture is not leaving much space for the stork," said Hans Skov, a board member of Storks Denmark.
In Danish folklore, storks symbolize the arrival of spring and good fortune, with nests on rooftops once considered a protective charm for households.
As European winters grow warmer due to climate change, storks are increasingly wintering in Spain instead of South Africa, boosting survival rates by shortening migration distances.
Denmark’s Natural History Museum is tagging five additional nestlings this year with GPS devices to track migration routes.
Storks migrating north from Germany are moving further into Denmark, but struggle to find sufficient food for their young.
Storks Denmark spends around 30,000 Danish crowns ($4,700) annually to provide food, while nest owners supplement daily with chicken or fish.
Grethe Mortensen, who gave her husband a stork nest for their backyard as a birthday gift in 2023, expressed optimism about the species’ long-term prospects.
"I want them to keep coming here to Denmark ... and I hope that something is done for the storks so they can survive on their own," she said.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U....
Pakistan’s security forces have killed 29 militants in an operation along the country’s border with Afghanistan, Information Minister Attaullah Ta...
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,450, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Ano...
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt strikes against each other, in a potential breakthrough after weeks of escalating tensions. The two sid...
Fourteen people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, according to Saudi state media....
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt strikes against each other, in a potential breakthrough after weeks of escalating tensions. The two sides are expected to meet in Doha on Tuesday to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Thousands of people gathered in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, maintaining pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić a day after he announced plans to step down within weeks and call early elections.
France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the severe heatwave that swept across Europe, according to the country's public health agency, which warned the final toll is likely to rise.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40°C over the weekend.
Iran had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final Group G match at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
Pakistan’s security forces have killed 29 militants in an operation along the country’s border with Afghanistan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,450, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Another 3,200 people were injured and 3,100 left homeless by the disaster, he added on state television.
Thousands of people gathered in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, maintaining pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić a day after he announced plans to step down within weeks and call early elections.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the country is going through a “difficult period”, but has learned much from it, according to state news agency TASS.
Pope Leo has expressed solidarity with people in Venezuela after twin earthquakes struck the country earlier this week, causing widespread damage and leaving communities in urgent need of assistance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment