The world-famous white stork couple, Klepetan and Malena, have reunited for the 20th year in Croatia, as the male joined his wife after finishing his annual journey in April that spans over 13,000 km from South Africa.

Last year, Klepetan returned earlier than usual and then went missing, leading people to believe that he had died.

The bird finally negotiated his way back to his love for the 20th time, and the dust and dirt on his body shows that the journey was a struggle. It was dangerous too as he had to travel through areas known for heavy poaching. But it was all worth it.

The couple has bred 66 chicks in total.

The story has touched many in Croatia and around the world, especially couples who take joy in watching the bird couple reunite time and time again.

Behind the romance, the story between the female bird Malena and her caretaker, a local retired janitor named Stjepan Vokic, is equally touching.

Vokic was fishing in a small Croatian village Brodski Varos in 1993 when he discovered Malena who had been shot in the wing by hunters and could not fly.

Since then, the man has made it his life goal to care for Malena. Over the past 27 years, Vokic has done everything he can for the bird and her husband: building nests, providing food, caring for their children, as well as taking Malena on walks, watching TV with the bird, and comforting her when she is anxiously waiting for her love.

Vokic even went to the length of writing a letter to the president of Lebanon, prompting the country to adopt protections for migratory birds.

The stork is a large migratory bird and could live for over 35 years.

A pair raises a single brood a year, usually with four eggs, though clutches of between one and seven have been recorded.

Chicks usually leave the nest about two months after hatching.

(All images via VCG)

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