EDIRNE, Turkey (AP) – An unusual friendship between a Turk and a swan he rescued has lasted for decades.
Retired postman Recep Mirzan found Garip, a female swan, 37 years ago in the western province of Edirne, Turkey.
Mirzan and a group of friends were taking a shortcut to the car when they noticed the swan, with its wing broken, in an empty field. Mirzan immediately grabbed the swan to protect it from predators and kept it in the car until that afternoon, when he was able to take the swan home.
Since then, Garip has lived on the man’s farm in the Karaagac region, on the border with Greece.
Garip follows Mirzan every time he comes out of his pen, accompanying him when he does his chores on the farm or on night walks.
“Because I love animals, I told myself I had to take her home instead of letting her be taken by foxes,” Mirzan told The Associated Press, explaining the day he hosted Garip. “We got used to each other. We never separated.”
Mirzan called the swan “Garip,” which translates as “strange,” but is also used to describe those who are lucky.
After Garip’s broken wing healed, the swan stayed with Mirzan and also befriended the cats and dogs in the area.
Garip spends most of his time out of the pen and has never tried to escape Mirzan’s farm.
Mirzan, 63, a widower and childless, says Garip has been loyal to him and has decided to stay by his side. Mirzan considers the swan his son.
Living with Mirzan has obviously been beneficial for Garip. According to the UK-based Swan Sanctuary, the average lifespan of a wild boar is 12 years. He says that in protected environments, they can live up to 30 years.
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Badendieck reported from Istanbul.