Couple Temporarily Shelters Lost Stork, Feeds It Sardines

A young stork, affectionately nicknamed Arsenije, found temporary refuge with a couple in Sremska Mitrovica after becoming separated from its migrating flock. Marijana Kosanović and her partner provided shelter for the bird, which was found alone on a boulevard and unable to fly safely.

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When we saw that it wasn't safe there, that it couldn't fly and could be harmed by a dog, we took it into the yard.

Kosanović, known in the city for her animal welfare efforts, was contacted when the Provincial Institute for Nature Protection in Novi Sad was closed. She and her partner initially intended to feed and water the bird, but upon realizing it was in an unsafe location, they decided to take it home. "When we saw that it wasn't safe there, that it couldn't fly and could be harmed by a dog, we took it into the yard," Kosanović told N1. The bird proved to be very tame from the start, readily accepting food and water.

Arsenije was housed in a neighbor's garage for a few days and was fed sardines. Kosanović described the bird as surprisingly gentle, allowing them to approach and handle it. "I simply think it sensed we wouldn't harm it," she explained, noting their careful approach given that storks interact less with humans than common pets.

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I simply think it sensed we wouldn't harm it.

Wildlife experts from the Provincial Institute for Nature Protection in Novi Sad took custody of Arsenije on Tuesday. A veterinarian will examine the stork to determine if there are any wing problems or other reasons it failed to migrate with its flock. If healthy, Arsenije will be sent south to rejoin his group; otherwise, he may be relocated to Palić in northern Serbia. N1 Serbia is awaiting further details from the institute regarding the bird's health.

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