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African stork found wandering Wisconsin gets new home
Safari Lake Geneva staff say the bird is in quarantine and settling in after weeks of sightings and reported near collisions with traffic.
A rare marabou stork spotted across Wisconsin for weeks has been rescued and given a new home at Safari Lake Geneva. Staff rescued the bird late Wednesday after sightings in Fond, Appleton, and Sheboygan.
Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the stork's arrival in Wisconsin remains a mystery. It is not unusual to see as many as 50 of these birds in a tree in Africa.
Maggie Christie, Safari Lake Geneva staff member, said the stork likely would not have survived another month given reported near collisions with vehicular traffic. She added the bird would not survive a Wisconsin winter.
"She surrendered without any resistance," Christie said. The bird is now in quarantine at Safari Lake Geneva, where staff report she has already settled in and become a favorite.
Safari Lake Geneva remains open every day through October 31st, allowing visitors to see the facility's newest resident once she completes quarantine. The stork will eventually join the park's other animals.