At the Berehovo Public Center “Everyone Can Help,” eco-activists hosted an educational session for children focused on stork conservation. With the storks soon beginning their mass migration to Africa for the winter, the session aimed to raise awareness about the challenges these birds face during their long journey. Additionally, the session highlighted the plight of storks that, due to injury or other reasons, will be unable to join the migration and will stay behind in Ukraine throughout the winter.
Leonid Pokrytyuk, a leading ornithologist in Berehovo and an IRCEF expert, introduced the students to the different stork species found in Ukraine. He provided detailed information about their biological traits, dietary habits, and how they prepare for their long journey, during which they cover thousands of kilometers to reach warmer regions. He also explained what these birds do during their winter stay in Africa. Mr. Pokrytyuk gave special attention to three storks in his care at the center, located on the grounds of the Count’s Court. He described each of them: “Johnson is an older stork with a wing injury; Eric is a friendly young bird from the village of Mochola; and Carmen is a very shy, fearful, and highly aggressive young stork.”
The children observed the storks from a safe distance, trying to understand their behavior while recalling the lessons they had learned. At the end of the visit, they were also introduced to other animals being looked after by the center’s volunteers.
The event was held in the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of the IRCEF
