Extinct for Decades, This Bird Is Back

The white stork has returned to Denmark after being declared extinct from the area decades ago.

2025 has seen more white stork nesting pairs in the Danish countryside than any other year since the 1980s.

The white stork population was classified as extinct in Denmark in 2008, mainly due to agricultural expansion and the loss of wetlands. Back in the 19th century, the Nordic country had over 4,000 thriving nesting pairs. Thanks to environmental conservation efforts and monetary contributions, the storks are slowly but surely returning to the country. The birds are partly tied to the Danish national identity, as they are believed to be a sign of the arrival of spring, good fortune, and protection.