Nature and animals
The call of nature. 110 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, about 30 species of amphibians, 214 species of butterflies, 217 species of marine and freshwater, there are more than 27,000 species of invertebrates.
Throughout the world, wildlife is in danger, mostly because of the actions or omissions of all of us. Over time, different species of wild animals and plants disappear completely and this is a great loss for all of us that cannot be filled. In an effort to reduce the extinction of endangered and rare wildlife, each country designates protected areas - reserves or nature parks. Bulgaria's natural resources are stored in 3 national parks, about 90 nature reserves, more than 500 protected areas and 11 nature parks. The terrain and excellent location make this country home to many animals and plants. Nearly 110 mammal species (including brown bear, incl, lynx, wild goat, deer), more than 400 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, about 30 species of amphibians, 214 species of butterflies, 217 marine and freshwater species, over 27,000 species live here invertebrates and many others - which is quite incredible considering the small territory of Bulgaria - about 111,000 square km.
About one third of Bulgaria's terrain is mountainous and the country boasts seven large different mountain ranges, as well as many small mountains, each with a unique range of flora and fauna.
From the northern border with Romania, the fertile Danube Plain gradually overflows into the Pre-Balkans and the Balkan Mountains, the longest mountain range in the Balkans, which virtually divides the country in two. In the south, Sredna Gora is separated from the Stara Planina Mountain by a valley in which the Rose Valley is located.
The highest peak of Bulgaria, the Musala peak (2925 m), is located in the beautiful and colorful Rila mountain south of Sofia and is almost equal in height to the Vihren peak (2915 m) in the wild and rocky Pirin mountain to the south. The Rhodope Mountains extend to the Greek border east of the Rila and Pirin Mountains. The charming caves of Yagodina and Trigrad are geological highlights of the Rhodopes, and the rock formations of Melnik are among the most unusual sights in the Pirin Mountains. Within the Rila range, the Stob pyramids are the most unique geological feature.
The Thracian Plain opens to the Black Sea coast. The 378 km long coastline is covered with beaches, and attention is drawn to the coastal lakes near Bourgas, the rocks near Kaliakra and several sandy bays. Diving has become a popular activity here in recent years. In addition to the mighty Danube, which forms much of the border with Romania, the main rivers include the Yantra, which meanders through the city of Veliko Turnovo; The spark that stretches from Samokov to the Danube, passing Sofia; and Maritza crawling through Plovdiv.
There is a popular saying in Bulgaria that says "Who is afraid of bears - not to go in the forest". We can view this proverb as advice, since Bulgaria, together with Sweden, Finland, Russia and Romania, are one of the few countries in Europe with a significant and stable brown bear population. According to unofficial data, the Rila - Rhodope Massif and the Balkan Range are inhabited by nearly 700 specimens. The brown bear lives in the forests. Although it seems clumsy, it can run at 45 km / h over short distances. It lives singly and very rarely in pairs. From a distance it seems calm, but it can get very angry very quickly. Adult weight is between 100 and 350 kg. The body length is 1.50 to 2.50 m. Their main food is vegetarian - berries - gathering food takes a long time in their daily life - between 6-7 hours a day. In Bulgaria, the brown bear is an endangered species and is protected.
If you decide to visit the highest parts of the national parks of the Central Balkans or the Rila Mountains, you may find traces of the largest land predator in Bulgaria. Usually bears will sense you before you find them and will do anything to avoid the encounter because they are afraid of humans. However, some safety precautions are not superfluous: Keep in mind that when you fumble on bear territory, you must speak loudly, sing, hiss, or knock so that the bear can hear you from at least 30 meters away. If you move quietly, you can enter the bear's private space and shake it. If the animal feels threatened, it can go on the attack. Usually the biggest damage is bruising, some scratches and of course intense fear. Bears do not like to be trapped. If you block the only escape route, you may be attacked. Quickly hide behind a rock or tree trunk - give it space. The lack of response and movement causes the bear to believe that the threat is over. So, if you have nowhere to hide, just lie on your belly or on a ball, cover your neck with your hands and do not move until the animal withdraws!
And when it comes to giant animals, we cannot miss the largest mammal in the Black Sea - the Mediterranean seal monk. The seal looks large and clumsy (230 to 430 cm in length and up to 400 kg in weight) and difficult to navigate on land, but in the water is its kingdom. He is called a "monk" because of his secretive and secluded lifestyle. Today, it is not only one of the rarest species on Earth, but also one of the most endangered. It disappeared massively from the Bulgarian shores in the 1980s and generally from the Black Sea in the mid-1990s. Since then, individual specimens are rarely found on the Bulgarian coasts and the last observation is around Cape Maslen, near the town of Primorsko. Late sexual maturity, low numbers, the disappearance of habitats, and man with his actions cause this species to disappear from the face of the Earth. Common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are also found in the Black Sea, though unfortunately in decreasing numbers.
Another wealth of the Bulgarian fauna is the wolf. It is estimated that there are about 1,200 wolves in Bulgaria, although unfortunately they are considered a threat to livestock and can be shot by farmers. And the unique Eurasian lynx, which was thought to have disappeared in Bulgaria after World War II, is beginning to gradually return today. It is extremely fortunate to see this wonderful species among its natural habitat.
Among the rare insects in Bulgaria is a spring green (a type of watermelon) that is found only in the Thracian region. This endemic species is found only in the Bulgarian and Greek part of the Eastern Rhodopes, as well as at the foothills of the Bulgarian and Turkish parts of Strandzha - at the mouth of the Ropotamo River and near the Midia and Chataldzha.
If you are a fan of ornithology, your place is definitely in Bulgaria. Located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Bulgaria is one of Europe's best bird watching destinations with 114 ornithologically important sites. The country is crossed by two of Europe's major migration routes - Via Pontica and Via Aristotelis. Bulgaria has more than 400 bird species and this makes it one of the best places on the continent for bird watching. Here you can see more than half of the bird species characteristic of Europe as a whole - even species that are found mostly in the desert and others that live too far north. In order to protect rare and unique birds, many different nature reserves have been created in Bulgaria, which aims to provide the best possible habitat and nesting environment. About 14 of the endangered birds worldwide can be seen here, such as the Egyptian Vulture (Europe's fastest decreasing bird of prey; mainly found in the Eastern Rhodopes), the Imperial (cross) eagle (only 26 pairs remaining mainly in Sakar and West Strandja), Dalmatian Pelican (breeds only in the Srebarna Nature Reserve, winters in Burgas lakes and some dams in southern Bulgaria) and many others. Bird lovers can admire the many feathered species near Burgas Lakes, the largest wetland complex in the country and home to about 60% of all bird species in Bulgaria; in the Ropotamo Nature Reserve with more than 200 bird species; in the Srebarna Reserve, also with more than 200 bird species; in Strandja Nature Park with almost 70% of all bird species found in Bulgaria; and in the Rusenski Lom Nature Park, home to 170 species of waterfowl.
About 250 of the approximately 10,000 plant species in Bulgaria are endemic and many have local names, such as Bulgarian blackberry and Rhodope tulip. Silivriak with its pale pink flowers was growing all over Europe before the last glacial age, but is now found only in southern Bulgaria, especially in the Rhodopes, where it is relatively abundant. The beautifully named Glitter Tulip with its large red flowers is extremely rare and was only discovered in 1976 near Yambol.
The UNESCO-protected Pirin National Park boasts more than 1300 species of flora, and the Central Balkan National Park covers ancient fir, spruce and hornbeam forests and mountain meadows, with about 2340 plant species growing, several of which are nowhere to be found anywhere. elsewhere.
The small territory of Bulgaria gives shelter to many more representatives of the wild flora and fauna. The most rare and unique are included in the Red Data Book of Threatened Species, which identifies those that need to be urgently protected.
The biological species described therein are a priority for conservation in the obligatory European Natura 2000 project for Bulgaria. No matter what restrictions and measures are taken, the greatest responsibility lies on the shoulders of all of us and we must responsibly protect Nature and preserve it for future generations.