Located about 90 km from the Croatian capital Zagreb, the village of Cigoc has long been famous as a "kingdom of storks." Every year, hundreds of white storks fly here to nest, breed, and create a unique and rare natural spectacle. The long-standing bond between humans and these migratory birds has made Cigoc a unique European destination.
The village is situated within the Lonjsko Polje Natural Park, a vast wetland protected by the Croatian government . Thanks to its rich ecosystem, home to approximately 250 species of birds, it provides an ideal environment for storks. Abundant food sources such as fish, frogs, snakes, and various insects ensure favorable conditions for their growth and enhance their reproductive capacity over generations.
The village is situated within the Lonjsko Polje Natural Park, a vast wetland area protected by the Croatian government.
According to Davor Anzil, an employee of the Cigoc Village Information Center, the richness of the ecosystem has contributed to the consistently high breeding rate of storks here. On average, each stork nest can successfully raise three to four chicks, much higher than in many other areas of Europe. This shows that the natural environment in Cigoc remains relatively intact and adequately meets the survival needs of this bird species.
Thanks to these unique values, in 1994, Cigoc was officially recognized as "Europe's first stork village". At that time, the number of storks living in the village reached about 300, while the local population was less than 150 people. The image of stork nests on rooftops, lampposts, or other buildings in the village has become a familiar symbol, attracting many tourists and nature lovers to visit every year.
In 1994, Cigoc was officially recognized as "Europe's first stork village".
However, living alongside hundreds of storks also brings considerable inconvenience to the residents. After each breeding season, when the flocks migrate away, people have to spend time and money cleaning up the droppings and leftover nesting materials. Despite this, most residents still consider the presence of storks a source of pride and an indispensable part of the village.
Cigoc is not only a habitat for flocks of white storks but also a living testament to the harmony between humans and nature.
Today, Cigoc is not only home to flocks of white storks but also a living testament to the harmony between humans and nature. Preserving the habitat has helped the village maintain its valuable ecosystem and create a unique mark on Croatia's ecotourism map.
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Source: https://htv.vn/ngoi-lang-co-trong-long-croatia-222260626110955069.htm
