Stock Photo - Jan. 03, 1954 - Convalescent Home for Storks in Verden/Aller in the State of Niedersbachsen: Storks have been looked after for about 15 years by Helmut Storch (Helmut Storch - our picture). The 63 year old merchant is in charge of the Aller in the state of Niedersachsen. Teh new saison has already begun for him as the majority of the white storks have returned from the Southern countries where they use to spend the winter time. But among all kinds of other dangers the increasing environmental pollution is extremely annoying for these animals. Weeds killers poison their food and frogs and mice, which are their 'favourite dish are being diminished in a high degree by draining measures. A little less than 700 stork couples are left of the 7500 couples are left to the 7500 couples which were breeding in Northern Germany at the turn of the century. 'If the development continues like this' says Helmut Storch 'not a single stork will be left in our area'. You better don't think about that. (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)