Typical plants in BULGARIA

Primula deorum (Primula deorum)

Main characteristic: This alpine plant is endemic to roughly 63 km2 above the tree-line
(especially around 2200 meters) in the Rila mountains in Bulgaria
Perennial herbs with long horizontal or oblique root. Stem 239 cm high, erect, glabrous,
sticky beneath the inflorescence, green or violet. Leaves lanceolate to wide lanceolate, erect,
coriaceous, in a basal rosette, with very short, glandular hairs above, greyish green glabrous
beneath. Scape 5-20 cm, fragrant and viscid, more or less dark violet towards the apex.
Reproduction by seeds and vegetatively.
Distribution - Only in Bulgaria
Distribution in Bulgaria
Vitosha Region, Rila Mountains, 19002800 m alt. This alpine plant is endemic to roughly 63
km2 above the tree-line (especially around 2200 meters). It prefers wet places beside mountain
streams, peat bogs and lakes, on the place of melting snow drifts.
Local social and culture importance:
It is unique and beautiful flower that grows only in Bulgaria.
Threats. Global warming, aridisation of climate, avalanches, destruction of individuals and
pollution because of active tourism, limited distribution of the species.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act.
Some localities occur on the territory of Rila National Park, Rilski Manastir and Vitosha
Nature Parks as well as in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.

Lilium albanicum

Lilium albanicum
Main characteristic:
Perennial, bulbous plant. Stem 3040 cm high, simple, rarely branched towards apex, leafy.
Leaves alternate, sessile, obovate-lanceolate, acute. Flowers terminal, single, or 23 in a lax
raceme. Pedicels nodding at anthesis, erect at fruiting. Perianth segments golden yellow, 34
cm long, recurved at anthesis. Anthers brick red. Capsules erect, elongated cylindrical,
splitting in three parts. Seeds numerous, discoid, light brown.
Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means (bulbs).
Habitats and populations. In herbaceous communities and open shrubs of Siberian juniper, on
shallow, stony soils. The subpopulations consist of several tens of individuals.

Distribution in Bulgaria:
Belasitsa Mountain (Radomir and Tumba peaks); at 18001900 m alt.

General distribution: Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania).

Conservation status: Critically Endangered
Balkan endemic
Threats: Low reproductive potential; small number of individuals per population. The
expansion of Siberian juniper can suppress the species.
Conservation measures taken: The species is protected by the Biodiversity Act. The
localities are within the borders of Belasitsa Nature Park and in a site of the European
ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)

Origin
The common name comes from German edel, meaning "noble", and wei (also spelled
weiss) "white", thus signifying "noble whiteness".The scientific name Leontopodium is a
Latin adaptation of Greek leontopdion () "lion's paw

Main characteristic:
Leontopodium alpinum is a well-known European mountain flower, belonging to the
sunflower family.
It is a grass plant, high up to 12 cm, covered thickly by whitish hairs.
It blossoms from June to August. The inflorescences at the top of the stems are surrounded by
narrow leaves, which determine the specific shape of the plant.

Distribution
The plant is unequally distributed and prefers rocky limestone places at 20002900 m
altitude. It is not toxic, and has been used traditionally in folk medicine. The dense hair
appears to be an adaptation to high altitudes, protecting the plant from cold and ultraviolet
radiation.
Since it usually grows in inaccessible places, it is associated in many countries of the alpine
region with mountaineering.

Local social and culture importance

This species is credited as a symbol of mountain tourism in Bulgaria

Protection
Edelweiss is a protected plant in many countries. It is protected and listed in the Red Data
Book of Bulgaria.

Nymphaea Alba (Nymphaeaceae)

Nymphaea alba L.
Main characteristic: Perennial, aquatic herb with creeping rhizome. Stem not developed.
Leaves floating, broadly elliptical ovate to orbicular, with a deep basal sinus, reddish beneath.
Flowers 620 cm in diameter, faintly scented. Petals numerous, white, entire. Fruit semispherical to ovate capsule.
Reproduction by seeds and vegetatively.
Habitats and populations: Bogs, lakes and slow waters.
General distribution: Europe, Southwest Asia, North Africa.
Distribution in Bulgaria: Black Sea coast (Ropotamo River, Arkutino bog, Kamchia River
estuary, Shabla Lake), North East Bulgaria (Srebarna Lake, Garvansko marsh), Danubian
Plain, Thracian Lowland (Maritsa river).
Threats: Aridisation of climate, degradation and loss of the habitats due to the draining and
pollution of water bodies, development of the aggressive water tourism.
Conservation status. Endangered
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act.
Some localities occur on the territory of Ropotamo and Kamchia Strict Nature Reserves,
Srebarna and Velyov Vir Managed Nature Reserves, Shablensko Ezero, Kalimok-Brashlen,
Blatoto Krai Malak Preslavets, Garvanski Blata, Martvitsata, Kochumina, Gola Bara
Protected Sites. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000
in Bulgaria.

Tulipa splendens

Tulipa splendens Delip.

Liliaceae Lily family
Main characteristic: Bulbous perennial. Bulb ovate; tunic scales dark brown, hairy on the
inner face. Stem up to 25 cm. Leaves 34, oblong-ovate to lanceolate. Perianth segments red;
the outer with a dark, basal blotch inside, the inner with dark basal blotch edged with yellow
and with a clear median yellowish stripe up to the apex. Filaments hairy near the base, yellow,
in the middle part dark violet. Fruit an oblong-elliptic, more or less triangular capsule. Insect
pollination.
Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations: Grows in forest openings, by fields and cultivated ground in the
xerothermic oak forest belt usually on well developed soils.
Distribution in Bulgaria: Toundzha Hilly Country, Yambol district at 140 m alt.
General distribution: Bulgaria.
Threats: Very limited distribution area of the species; very small population size; low
reproductive capacity; habitat destruction due to intensive agriculture and domestic pollution
(waste deposition); harvesting of flowers and collection of bulbs for gardening.
Conservation status: Critically Endangered
Bulgarian endemic
Conservation measures taken: Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act.
The locality is designated as a protected area (Tetrolika Nature Monument).
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the only known population; optimization of the
size and location of the surrounding arable lands in accordance with the species requirements
and sustainability; effective control of the human activities in the area; elaboration and
implementation of an action plan for protection of the only species population; deposition of
seeds in the National Seedbank in Bulgaria and reintroduction of individuals back to the
locality.

Typical animals in BULGARIA

Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)

Main characteristic
The Eastern Imperial Eagle is a large eagle with a length of 7284 centimeters, a wingspan of
1.82.15 meters and a weight of 2.54.5 kilograms.
It closely resembles the Spanish Imperial Eagle, but has far less white to the "shoulder".
The Eastern Imperial Eagle feeds mainly on Hares, Hamsters, Rodents, Common Pheasants,
as well as a variety of other birds and mammals
Breeding
In March or April the female lays two to three eggs. The chicks hatch after about 43 days and
leave the nest after 6077 days. Often, however, only one will survive to leave the nest, with
the others dying before becoming fully-fledged.
Habitat
The eagle's preferred habitat is open country with small woods; unlike many other species of
eagle, it does not generally live in mountains, large forests or treeless steppes.
In the winter the Eastern Imperial Eagle migrates to Africa, India and China.
Eastern Imperial Eagles generally prefers to construct a nest in a tree which is not surrounded
by other trees, so that the nest is visible from a considerable distance, and so that the
occupants may observe the surroundings unobstructed. Tree branches are taken in order to
build the nest, which is upholstered with grass and feathers. Very rarely it nests on cliffs or the
ground.
Distribution
Once widely distributed, today the number of the Imperial Eagle is estimated at about 30-35
pairs. There are not more than 20 known nests, as most of them are concentrated in the area of
the Sakar Mountains and the Dervent Heights.
Conservation status
In Europe, the Eastern Imperial Eagle is threatened with extinction. It is a globally threatened
species. It is listed in Annex I to the Birds Directive,
Appendix III to the Bern Convention, the Bonn Convention,
and the Red Data Book of Bulgaria.

Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat /Rhilophus eureale

Main characteristic
The head and body are normally between 43 and 58 mm, with a 22-30 mm tail. The wingspan
of R. euryale is between 300 and 320 mm, with a standard weight between 8 and 17.5 grams.
The upper connecting process is pointed and slightly bent downwards, and is distinctly longer
than the lower connecting process, which is broadly rounded when seen from below.The fur is
fluffy, with a light grey base. The dorsal side is grey-brown, with sometimes a slight reddish
tinge, while the ventral side is grey-white or yellow-white.Colonial species but in many places
is rare and does not form colonies. It hangs from the ceiling of caves. Often individuals with
wings hug their neighbors and lick faces and their heads. It can exist with other types of
horseshoe. It falls into hibernation, which spent in caves and mine galleries at about 10 C.
Mediterranean Horsehoe Bats leave their roosts in late dusk, hunting low over the ground on
warm hillsides.
Distribution: The most widespead and most numerous of the three species of "mediumsized" horseshoe bats on the territory of the country. It is known from over 100 localities,
most of them being between altitudes of 0 700 m, but it has winter shelters at higher
altitudes as well.
Habitats: Forested lowland karstic regions close to water. It is almost entirely linked to
caves, but in non-karstic regions in the summer it also settles in buildings.
Conservation status: The species is protected, being of great nature conservation
significance.
Besides, they are extremely useful species as they feed exclusively on insects, many of which
are pests.The destruction of the natural bat habitats, as well as the uncontrolled use of
insecticides, have caused drastic decline of their numbers in many countries.
This necessitates urgent conservation measures.

Brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos)

Main characteristic
It has dense, brown fur which can range from yellow-brownish to dark brown, quite round
head, small and round years, powerful bone structure, large paws with big claws. The weight
of the Brown bear varies depending on habitat and time of year. A full grown male weighs on
average 265-355 kg.
The species to which the Brown bear belongs might have developed about 5 million years
ago.
The females reach sexual maturity at the age of 3-4 years, the males at the age of 5-6 years.
The mating season most often takes place in May-June. The female gives birth once every 2-3
years, mainly in caves, often near the upper border of the forest. The young ones, 2 at the
average, are usually born in January, leaving the den in April and following their mother for 2
years. In Bulgaria only pregnant females have an obligatory lethargy.
Behavior:The brown bear is primarily nocturnal. In summer, it gains up to 180 kilograms on
which it relies to make it through winter, when it becomes very lethargic. Both sexes like to
den in a protected spot, such as a cave or hollow log during the winter months. Brown bears
are mostly solitary, although they may gather in large numbers at major food sources and form
social hierarchies based on age and size. Brown bears in Bulgaria are considered to be
peaceful animals which become aggressive only when they feel danger.
Distribution: Bulgaria hosts one of the most stable populations of Brown bear in Europe.
About 800 animals inhabit the mountains in the central and southwestern parts of the country.
The western Rhodopes are the main refuge of the Brown bear in Bulgaria.
Conservation status: The species has been protected since 1993, with an exception for bears
making damages. It was included in the Bulgarian Red Data Book of 1985.There are national
and international programmes for the preservation of the species.

EURASIAN EAGLE OWL (Bubo bubo)

Main characteristic
Considered to be one of the largest owls in the world, the Eurasian eagle-owl is an impressive
and majestic bird, with distinctive, prominent ear-tufts, a barrel-shaped body, and vivid orange
eyes. The Eurasian eagle-owls plumage is buffy-brown and heavily mottled and streaked
with black, with paler underparts and fine barring on the belly and flanks. The wings and tail
are marked with dark bars. The throat is white and is used in intraspecific communication, as
a visual signal associated with vocal displays.
It has a wingspan of 160188 cm, with the largest specimens attaining 200 cm. The total
length of the species can range from 56 to 75 cm.
It is monogamous. The breeding season is from February to August. The female lays 2-4
white eggs. Incubation continues for 34-36 days. During that time she is fed by the male. The
young ones fly away at the age of 7 weeks. It mainly feeds on small mammals (hamsters,
hedge-hogs, hares, wandering domestic cats).
Habitats: Hard-to-access sites, rarely visited by man, mainly in rock massifs and screes,
caves, the environs of forests, thinned old forests, often in river valleys near the river.
General distribution: A Palearctic species whose area embraces Western and Central
Europe, the Apennines and the Balkan peninsulas, the region beyond the Caucasus Mountains,
the European and the Asian part of Russia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Northern
Indochina, Sakhalin island.
Conservation status in Bulgaria: Endangered
Conservation measures taken: Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act. Included
in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (1985). About half of the breeding places fall within
Protected Natural Territories. A slogan was published for the protection of the species.
Conservation measures needed. Inclusion in Protected Natural Territories of its non-protected
habitats, mainly in the valleys. Increase of the nature conservation culture of the population.

White stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Main characteristic:
The White Stork is a well known and deeply loved bird.
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a large and a well known loved bird.
Its plumage is mainly white, with black on its wings. Adults have long red legs and long
pointed red beaks, and measure on average 100115 cm from beak tip to end of tail, with a
155215 cm wingspan. The two subspecies, which differ slightly in size, breed in Europe
(north to Finland), northwestern Africa, southwestern Asia (east to southern Kazakhstan) and
southern Africa. The White Stork is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa from tropical
Sub-Saharan Africa to as far south as South Africa, or on the Indian subcontinent. When
migrating between Europe and Africa, it avoids crossing the Mediterranean Sea and detours
via the Levant in the east or the Strait of Gibraltar in the west, because the air thermals on
which it depends do not form over water.
Habitats: Mainly populated places in the low parts of the country and in the vicinity to rivers,
rice fields, wet meadows, reservoirs, etc.
The European population is about 180 000 breeding pairs.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria:
It is a breeding summer visitor and passage migrant, as an exception wintering. At the end of
the 19th century it was widely distributed. During the last count (2004-2005), 4 956 pairs
were registered. Most of the pairs (78,8%) breed at altitudes between 50 and 499 m.
Wintering birds are most frequently observed near the rivers Maritsa and Struma.
Biology. The multiplying period is from the end of March to the beginning of August.
The food consists of frogs, snakes, mice, etc.
Negative factors: Most nests in Bulgaria bear risks, as they are situated on electric posts, dry
trees, chimneys, monuments, etc.
Conservation status in Bulgaria: Vulnerable
Conservation measures taken: Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act.
Monitoring of the population is carried out as part of international counts. Artificial platforms
have been mounted and about 20% of the risk nests have been saved. A Rehabilitation Centre
for wounded storks and other rare species of birds has been set up in the city of Stara Zagora.
Conservation measures needed:
Saving endangered nests by installing artificial platforms; preparation of a National Plan for
the preservation of the species.

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