Bulgarians Are Letting Storks Inside Their Homes To Save Them From Freezing

April 2, 2018

The weather in Bulgaria has been so cold that storks, which migrate in winter, have been freezing to death. So these kind souls, among others, have taken them in their homes to save them.

Bulgarians let storks inside home to save them from freezing
Credit: Aishe Jamal / Twitter

"I found five frozen storks near the village road the day before yesterday," 53-year-old Safet Halil told the AFP. "I took them home, lit a stove to warm them and fed them fish."

Halil's act of kindness sparked a wave of support on social media and now others in the region are following his example. The AFP reported over 40 distressed birds have been sheltered inside people's homes, garages or barns.

Bulgarians let storks inside home to save them from freezing
Credit: Aishe Jamal / Twitter

Halil says he plans on keeping his five companions inside for several more days.

"It is minus three degrees Celsius (27 Fahrenheit) today and the weather is getting worse," he said, adding that the birds seem to be happy inside.

"I already received two or three beak pinches on the arms."

Bulgarians let storks inside home to save them from freezing
Credit: Aishe Jamal / Twitter

The video below shows a man pulling chunks of ice from a stork's wings while others find comfort on the family's couch.