Yaren (Stork)

Yaren the stork is a white stork known for returning each year in the months of spring to the village of Eskikaraağaç in the Karacabey district of Türkiye’s Bursa province, where it has formed a friendship with fisherman Adam Yılmaz. First seen landing on Adem Yılmaz’s boat in 2011 and joining him on fishing trips, Yaren has returned to the village every year after migration to spend time with Yılmaz.

Eskikaraağaç is a village that is a member of the Europe Stork Villages Network and lives in harmony with nature. Yaren’s annual return to this region holds great significance for nature conservation. The bond between Yaren and Adem Yılmaz has gradually attracted national and international attention and has made a major contribution to promoting the area.

"Yaren" the stork arrived for its 14th year at its nest overlooking the lake in Bursa — Anadolu Agency

Physical Characteristics and Life Cycle of Yaren the Stork

Yaren is a member of the white stork species (Ciconia ciconia), distinguished by its long long legs, sharp beak, and black-and-white plumage. This species typically migrates between Europe, Asia and Africa, heading north in spring to breed. Yaren follows this migratory pattern and returns to Eskikaraağaç each spring to reside there.

In 2023, Yaren’s nest was live-streamed by the Karacabey Municipality, during which four chicks were observed being born. One of these chicks was ringed in 2021 and began to be tracked; it returned to Bursa in 2022, following its family’s migration path.

The Friendship Between Yaren and Adem Yılmaz

The most remarkable feature of Yaren the stork is its bond with Adem Yılmaz. Since 2011, every spring Yaren lands on Yılmaz’s boat and joins him on fishing trips, sometimes resting on the boat and other times waiting beside him for the fish he catches.

Yaren the stork and Adem Yılmaz’s annual meeting — Anadolu Agency

This unique friendship has been widely followed not only by the only region public but also around the world. Yaren’s annual return is regarded as one of the most beautiful examples of the relationship between nature and humans.

Documentaries and Cultural Impact

The friendship between Yaren the stork and Adem Yılmaz has been the subject of documentaries and books. In 2019, a documentary titled “Yaren,” directed by nature documentarian Burak Doğansoysal, won the “Best Documentary” award at the Prague Film Awards.

In addition, Yaren the stork’s story was published as a child book designed to instill a love of nature in small-year-old readers.