Stork Terrorizes German Village

[marmar]

from Der Spiegel:




A marauding stork has been attacking cars and windows in a northern German village, doing a fair share of property damage in the process. A conservationist says the incidents highlight bigger problems for the species.

In traditional European folklore, storks symbolize fertility and good luck. But after this summer, residents of one northern German village are more likely to associate the large birds with bills from the auto repair shop.

According to local media reports, a male stork has been "patrolling" the streets of Bergholz, in the state of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, attacking cars and house windows. Mayor Ulrich Kersten told news agency DPA that at least four cars had been dented by the stork, causing an estimated €300 to €1,000 ($390 to $1,300) in damage, depending on the model.

"This stork sees his reflection in the sides of cars or windows and thinks it is a rival in his territory," says Helmut Eggers, head of the state's working group for the protection of the White Stork with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). "It only follows that he would try to chase this rival away by pecking at him." ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stork-terrorizes-german-village-of-bergholz-a-911179.html

[DirkGently]

1. Youch. Peacocks are bad about that, too. Only defense? A dirty car.

[Yo_Mama]

2. This is not terrorizing

Yeah, yeah, I know it's the headline. It's a stupid use of the word.

It's a very expensive nuisance, but it ain't terra.

[marmar]

4. I think it was meant to be on the light side. Not everything needs to be taken so seriously.

[temmer]

3. I'm sure the storks are just patsies

must be a false flag attack of storkhaters

[xchrom]

5. he must be very busy. nt

[Javaman]

6. It's also has a higher than normal birth rate!

just sayin'...

[pinboy3niner]

8. This story definitely has legs!

[flamingdem]

9. This could drive a German bueger stork raving mad

[L0oniX]

10. The driver was using birth control. Pisses off the storks.

[geek tragedy]

11. Which level of Angry Birds is this? nt