German stork sanctuaries nurture injured birds and mourn a one‑legged veteran

In Bornheim, Rhineland‑Palatinate, the Aktion Pfalzstorch sanctuary cares for around 50 injured stork chicks each year and has released more than 500 juveniles this summer. The centre, run by four experienced caretaker couples, maintains a large aviary, a “nursery” and a “hospital” for the birds. About 40 nests are found in the local area, and the site draws storks from Saarland, Hessen, Baden‑Württemberg, North Rhine‑Westphalia and even Alsace. Funding comes from the municipality, visitor donations and private sponsors.

Meanwhile, in Nördlingen, Bavaria, a 23‑year‑old stork that had lived on the town’s historic dance‑hall tower for two decades died after being moved to a rescue station in Westhausen. The bird, known for its single black leg, had become too weak to feed itself and passed away a few days after admission. The local stork officer said the loss marks the end of an era for the town’s longest‑standing nesting site, which still houses a partner stork and a fledgling chick.