Sometimes, great acts of kindness begin quite unexpectedly — with a chance encounter, an outstretched hand, and the simple decision not to pass by someone in need.
And so begins the story of Chochko — a stork who, over the past few days, has become more than just a wild bird, but a true symbol of the kindness and compassion of the people of Ivaylovgrad.
Desislava Mitreva and Stoyan Iliev found the distressed stork in front of the apartment building where they live. The bird was on the ground and unable to fly. Every passing minute posed a risk, but Desislava and Stoyan did not leave him alone. They carefully managed to catch him and move him to a safe place.
Stoyan took the stork to his home in the village of Zhelezino and began caring for him in his yard. There, Chochko — as he affectionately named him — was given peace, food, water and, above all, human care.
With each passing day, the bird gradually grew stronger and regained his strength. He became accustomed to the presence of his rescuer and even began to behave like a true pet. He calmly wandered around the yard, watched the people around him and seemed to understand that he had found a place where no one would harm him.
Yet despite all the care and the visible improvement in his condition, Chochko was still unable to fly. And a stork’s place is not in a human’s yard, no matter how safe it may be. His place is high in the sky — above the fields, villages and rivers of the Eastern Rhodopes.
Realising that the bird needed professional veterinary care, Stoyan Iliev contacted Tintyava Exploration and asked for assistance in transporting Chochko to the Green Balkans Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre in Stara Zagora.
We responded immediately.
Representatives of Tintyava Exploration took responsibility for the stork’s safe transportation. Chochko was taken to Stara Zagora and placed in the care of the specialists at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, who have the knowledge, experience and facilities needed to determine why the bird is unable to fly and to provide the best possible care for his recovery.
Chochko is now where he can receive the professional help he needs. Everyone involved in his rescue shares the same hope — that he will make a full recovery and, as soon as possible, spread his wings once again in his natural environment.
This seemingly small story is, in fact, about something much greater. It is about people who chose not to remain indifferent. About Desislava Mitreva and Stoyan Iliev, who saw an animal in distress and chose to help. About Stoyan’s dedication in caring for Chochko for days. And about the specialists at Green Balkans, who have devoted their work to rescuing wild animals and returning them to nature.
For us at Tintyava Exploration, it was only natural to step in and provide the timely assistance Chochko needed. We believe that responsibility towards nature is not expressed through words and intentions alone. It is demonstrated through concrete actions — especially when the life of a living creature depends on them.
Chochko’s story reminds us that no single person can do everything, but everyone can do something. One person notices someone in need. Another reaches out a helping hand. A third provides the necessary support. And when people act together, kindness finds its way.
Sometimes, even the way back to the sky.
We wish Chochko a speedy recovery and believe that the day will soon come when he once again spreads his strong wings over his native region.
Because when there is humanity, compassion and unity, hope can always take flight.