There are people around the world who bond with wild animals and form what is known as an eternal friendship. YouTube is full of strange stories about Kevin Richardson, who tamed lions, or the story of Luna the black panther, who was rescued and raised by a woman named Victoria. But in a village near Shabla – Ezerec, which we call “The Unknown Paradise,” there is a remarkable story about a man who tamed the “silent swans.” His name is Dimo, and he lives in the village year-round. The first thing that strikes you is the view of a large artificial lake in his front yard. Later, I learned his story. It is a story of true friendship.
Dimo has done many things. In addition to visiting the sea and observing his wild friends, he also takes care of his carp in his two artificial ponds. It is difficult, he says, to feed so many fish, but he enjoys taking care of them. He doesn’t even catch them. He doesn’t want to sell them either. He grows peppers seasonally and sells them in the village and the surrounding area. People know him and know that he doesn’t use pesticides. You can recognize him by the blue sign near his house and the unusual pond in his yard.
They are called mute swans because they are usually quieter than their counterparts. They only make loud noises when they feel threatened. Dimo, how did you manage to tame them?
They were in the lake canal. I had some bread with me. I don’t remember why. And then I spotted them. I approached them, but they tried to escape. Then, for the first time, I whistled at them and threw them a piece of bread. When they saw that I had no bad intentions and only wanted to feed them, I approached them, but unfortunately they ran away. The next day I saw them again—they ran away for the second time. I continued to feed them for about ten days. Gradually, they got used to me. When I don’t give them food, they sometimes bite me lightly. I immediately understand that they want me to feed them. That’s how we understand each other!
Do they have names?
No, I haven’t given them names. They recognize me by my whistle. They know my signal, and when they hear it, they come. Right now, they are on the canal by the sea. They learned to walk because of the people who feed them. Because of the swans, this stretch of coast has become quite popular. Parents bring their children here and take pictures of them.
Tell me your most interesting story about them.
Once, while I was feeding my family, 18 other swans gathered around them. I only had one loaf of bread and there was nowhere else to go—they ate it. Something else interesting happened to me recently. As I was eating my croissant, one of the swans took it from my mouth. They are so used to me!
Before you tamed them, swans didn’t live in this exact spot?
Yes, they used to hang out in the pond. Then I saw them on the canal. When they got used to me, they showed up here with their two little ones. Because of them, I’m at the sea every day.
You haven’t given them names, but how do you recognize them?
I recognize one of the swans by one thing. When I feed it, it doesn’t take the food from my hand, but nibbles me gently on the side. I recognize the male by its long neck.
Last year, the same pair of swans had two little ones? What happened to them? Why is there only one little swan now?
I think otters or jackals are the reason for the disappearance of the two little ones. I don’t believe it was human intervention. They disappeared while they were still young. I also noticed that they are afraid of dogs. One day, while I was with the swans, a dog attacked one of them. I told the owner to chase it away, but he didn’t seem to hear me. Fortunately, nothing happened to them then.
Don’t you think this area should be guarded because this is an endangered species and these people should be punished in some way?
I don’t think people are capable of that. This is an isolated case. What I see is that they enjoy themselves and feed them. The swans are also used to people. It is difficult to tame swans that live in the sea. Thanks to this family, the others are also starting to get used to me through them.
But isn’t it dangerous for them to be in this particular canal?
Yes, I can’t say it’s not dangerous, but they already know what to watch out for because two of their cygnets were eaten. This pond is full of otters. Unfortunately, there is always a danger for the little ones.
How can the species be protected from this potential danger?
The pond hasn’t frozen over in 15 years. It needs to freeze so that the otters can’t get in.
Doesn’t it hurt when they bite you?
No, I’m actually happy about it! In the end, I’ve realized one thing—animals are truer friends than people.
