Fauna
22/04/2026
We celebrate World Earth Day on April 22
The Central Balkan National Park Directorate joined in celebrating World Earth Day on April 22 in a joint initiative with the Vasil Levski Secondary School - Sevlievo, where teachers, parents and students from four 2nd grade classes planted a total of 12 coniferous trees in the Pine Forest Park.
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22/04/2026
The Annual Plan for Grazing and Use of Hay in the Central Balkan National Park for 2026 was approved
By Order of the Director of the Park Directorate today, April 22, 2026, the Annual Plan for Grazing and Use of Hay in the Central Balkan National Park for 2026 was approved.
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17/04/2026
Temporary suspension of passage along the route from Dom Kordela to the Kostina area
Access and passage along Route No. 6 “Dom Kordela – Kostina Area” (Benkovski Trail), passing through the Boatin Reserve, Teteven Park Section, is temporarily suspended
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08/04/2026
Sokolna Hut Transferred to the Management of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate
As of the current year, the management of Sokolna Hut has been officially assigned to the Central Balkan National Park Directorate.
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31/03/2026
apture the Future: A Global Youth Storytelling Initiative for People and Nature
If you are a young photographer or visual storyteller aged between 18 and 35, and if you find inspiration in the connection between people and nature — a connection woven into harmonious unity within the boundaries of biosphere parks — you could take part in this year’s UNESCO and Vivo initiative Capture the Future.
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30/03/2026
Meeting with stakeholders for the Annual Plan for grazing and hay use prezentation
On April 8, 2026 (Tuesday), a meeting will be held in the “Vasil Karaivanov” Hall at the Karlovo Municipality (Karlovo, 1 Petko Sabev St.) between representatives of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate and prospective pasture users in the Park.
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24/03/2026
We celebrated World Water Day together with children from “Stefan Peshev” Primary School
On March 23, on the occasion of World Water Day, experts from the Central Balkan National Park Directorate conducted educational activities with students from grades 4 “B” and “C” at “Stefan Peshev” Primary School in the town of Sevlievo.
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23/03/2026
March 23 – International Bear Day
International Bear Day has been celebrated every year on March 23 since 1992. This day is dedicated to some of the most impressive and powerful animals on the planet – bears.
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20/03/2026
The World Water Day is coming
This Sunday, March 22, the world will mark World Water Day. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the global water crisis and to encourage the sustainable management of water resources.
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19/03/2026
Draft of an Annual plan for livestock grazing and using of hay in the Central Balkan NP
Draft of an Annual plan for livestock grazing and using of hay in the Central Balkan NP 2026 was announced with an Order of CBNPD Director.
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16/03/2026
Successful Operation Against Unauthorized Motor Vehicle Use in Central Balkan National Park
On 15 March, in the area of Bukova Mogila locality within the Troyan Park Section, staff members of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate carried out a specialized operation to monitor compliance with the regulations in the protected area.
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19/02/2026
DNPCB Team Locates Missing Tourist Alive in the Area of Golyam Kademliya
The teams of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate and the Mountain Rescue Service successfully located the missing Nikola Vladov from the village of Dzhulyunitsa. The man was found in the area above Babsko Praskalo after being missing for four days.
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19/02/2026
Large-Scale Search Operation for Missing Tourist in Central Balkan National Park
A major rescue operation is underway in the area of Mount Golyam Kademlia in Central Balkan National Park following a report of a missing tourist.
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18/02/2026
The Central Balkan National Park Directorate Visits Kindergarten ‘Osmi Mart’ – Troyan
An expert from the Central Balkan National Park Directorate visited the children of Kindergarten “Osmi Mart” in the town of Troyan. Thirteen children from the kindergarten’s fourth group had the opportunity to learn more about the National Park.
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13/02/2026
A temporary restriction on visitor movement in the southern parts of the Park is being introduced until the end of April 2026
By order prohibits visitors from moving outside the marked tourist trails and roads throughout the entire territory of the Tazha and Kalofer park sections within Central Balkan National Park.
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02/02/2026
Wetlands and traditional knowledge: a bridge between nature and cultural heritage
On February 2, we celebrate World Wetlands Day – a tribute to some of the planet’s most valuable ecosystems. Wetlands purify water, reduce flood risks, store carbon, and provide habitats for a vast diversity of plants and animals. But their importance goes far beyond ecological functions.
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30/01/2026
A modification to the type of ribbon marking used along hiking trails traversing protected areas designated as Reserve and Managed Reserve is envisaged
By Order RD‑11/07.01.2026, the Minister of Environment and Water establishes the means for marking the protected areas in the Republic of Bulgaria
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19/01/2026
Еxperts from the Central Balkan took part in the winter waterbird census
Employees of the Park Directorate took part in the Midwinter Waterbird Census in Bulgaria. They visited several water bodies outside the boundaries of the Park, the largest of which was Sopot Reservoir.
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09/01/2026
The ban on visits and bivouacs at the "Byala Reka" campsite is extended
We inform you that Order No. RD-337 of 30.12.2025 of the Director of the Directorate "Central Balkan National Park" (CBNPD) extends the period of prohibitions for the Visitor Complex (VC) "Byala Reka"
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08/01/2026
A ban on vehicle traffic is introduced on the road from Troyanski Prohod to Dermenka hut
By Order No. RD-MM-1 dated 06.01.2026 of the Director of the Directorate "Central Balkan National Park", in order to protect the life and health of visitors to the National Park, the movement, stay and parking of motor vehicles (MPV) (including ATV and UTV of all classes) on road No. 12 Troyanski prohod - Dermenka hut.
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08/01/2026
The areas of the reserves in the Park have been updated
By orders of the Minister of Environment and Water, the areas of the 9 reserves falling within the Central Balkan National Park
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22/12/2025
The youngest reserve in the Central Balkan celebrates its 38th anniversary today
On this day, December 22, the “Kozya Stena” Reserve was established—the smallest of all nine reserves in the Central Balkan National Park.
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28/11/2025
The ban on camping and visiting the “Byala Reka” Visitor Complex is extended
We would like to inform you that by Order No. RD-313 of 28.11.2025 issued by the Director of the “Central Balkan National Park” Directorate (CBNPD), the period of the prohibitions for the “Byala Reka” Visitor Complex has been extended until 30.12.2025.
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27/11/2025
A New Scientific Advisory Council Will Support the Work of the Park Directorate
On 25 and 26 November 2025, a founding meeting was held in the town of Apriltsi to establish a Scientific Advisory Council to the Directorate of “Central Balkan National Park”
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31/10/2025
The Central Balkan National Park Directorate removed an illegally parked camper from the territory of the National Park
On October 30, in accordance with the Order No. RD-PAM – 1/05.06.2020 of the Director of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate (CBNPD), an illegally parked truck (camper) was removed from the borders of the Central Balkan National Park
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31/10/2025
Today, the Central Balkan National Park celebrates
On this date in 1991, by order of the Minister of Environment, the Central Balkan was established.
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20/10/2025
The autumn festivals Partner of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park have started
On Saturday, 18.10.2025, the Directorate of the Central Balkan National Park, with the support and hosting of the Troyan Municipality, opened the first of the three festive events of the festival "Partner of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park".
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13/10/2025
Central Balkan NPD participates in an annual meeting on old-growth beech forests in Muzcne, Poland
From 5 to 8 October, the annual meeting of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) of the serial World Heritage Site “Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions in Europe” was held in Muzcne, Poland (Biezchady National Park).
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10/09/2025
Eight students from the Central Balkan National Park region participated in the first youth exchange dedicated to beech forests as a UNESCO site
From 20 to 31 August, Germany hosted the first youth exchange called “UNESCO World Heritage – European Beech Forests”. A total of 60 young people and group leaders from six countries – Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the hosts from Germany – participated.
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05/09/2025
CBNPD presented the results of the first scientific project for the territory of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park
The results and activities carried out under the project “Study of forest ecosystems in mountain watersheds in the Central Balkan Biosphere Park” were presented yesterday at the “Nauka 1870” Community Center in Troyan.
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05/09/2025
Actions against poachers in the Central Balkan National Park
In just one day, the security forces organized two actions in the protected area.
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11/08/2025
Central Balkan National Park launches campaign to clean its hiking trails
In recent days, employees of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate have begun cleaning the overgrown sections of the tourist routes in the Park.
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01/08/2025
CBNPD officers detained a poacher in the Sokolna reserve after an operation
Due to violations and increased reports of poaching in the area of the Sokolna hut, on the orders of Georgi Krastev, Director of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate (CBNPD), measures have been taken in the area for daily patrolling and surveillance by park guards.
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29/07/2025
We celebrated the Park Rangers' Day with many new challenges and entertainment
On July 26, in connection with World Ranger Day, the "Ranger's Day" was held for the sixth consecutive year.
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21/07/2025
Successful operation against treasure hunting in the Central Balkan National Park
On Saturday, July 19, employees of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate (CBNP) conducted an operation against treasure hunters in the area of Gorni Polenitsi in the security section "Vidima" of the park section "Stokite".
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18/07/2025
Central Balkan National Park employees caught poachers near the Park
An employee of the Park Directorate received yesterday a photo from a camera trap, which captured violators with long-barreled hunting weapons near the border of the Central Balkan National Park (CBNP) with the forest territories of the State Forestry Administration (SFA) - Teteven.
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01/07/2025
“Where the River is Born” – How Forest Ecosystems Influence Rivers
With a creative workshop “Where the River is Born”, experts from the Central Balkan National Park Directorate presented the role of mountain ecosystems in the management and quality of water in river catchments.
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02/05/2025
With a call to protect nature, the Director of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate opened the new office of the Directorate in the village of Ribaritsa
On April 29, at a solemn ceremony, Georgi Krastev, Director of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate (CBNPD), had the honor of opening the long-awaited, newly built office of the Teteven Park District (PD) of the Park Directorate, located in the village of Ribaritsa.
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05/03/2025
Violators with high-pass vehicles in the Central Balkan National Park have been sanctioned
Park Directorate employees detected unregulated movement of motor vehicles in the Park over the past weekend.
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23/08/2024
What you need to know when visiting Central Balkan National Park
Wildlife has a right to privacy. Preserve it in its natural state by using wisely your right to recreation and knowledge.
Read more >>News archive
2,366 species of invertebrates and 307 species of vertebrates have been identified on the territory of the Park. The rich species diversity is determined by various factors, such as the specific relief, diversity in altitudes, climate, vegetation, geological past, the presence of rocky habitats, etc.
Several important facts determine to the importance of the Stara Planina and the Central Balkan National Park for the preservation of the faunal diversity of Bulgaria, namely:
- The altitudinal-zonal position of the Central Balkan National Park places it among the high mountains, where well-pronounced zonation in the vertical direction is observed.
- The evolution of the faunal species of the Stara Planina has taken place independently of the rest of our high mountains, which we can judge by the abundance of endemic forms, especially strongly expressed in the high and low mountain zones (endemics are biological species whose distribution is limited to a certain region - for example, European, Balkan, Bulgarian or local endemic);
- The location of the Stara Planina plays an important barrier role for many species and is of decisive importance for the microclimatic features of the region. It divides not only Bulgaria, but also the peninsula into two relatively well-defined faunal parts.
The ridge of the mountain is a watershed of two large watersheds - the Black Sea, through the Danube River, and the Aegean, through the Maritsa River. These watersheds have independent faunogenesis (origin, history of origin), which explains the great faunal differences of their hydrobionts - organisms that live in an aquatic environment or in which certain stages of their development necessarily take place in an aquatic environment.
All this determines the great biological diversity on the territory of the Central Balkan National Park.
Insects have a relatively high percentage of endemism among invertebrates - 113 species, constituting 7% of the total number. Of these, 62 species are Balkan, 31 species are Bulgarian and 20 species are local endemics.
The Balkan Trout (Salmo trutta fario) is a typical cold water fish. Habitat – the fast flowing rivers whose waters are highly saturated with oxygen.
The long-legged buzzard has a pale-rusty body and bright light cream-colored tail and head. Darker specimen also occur, but they also preserve the ruddiness on their head and the pale lower half of the wings.
This is one of the most impressive diurnal predatory species, with a wing span of up to 205 cm. This is the second largest of the eagle species. It is identified by the pale head and the bright white scapulars.
The corncrake is migratory species – flies to Bulgaria in April and flies away in September. They migrate individually during the nigh and in day-time they hide in the grass. It winters in Africa and Madagascar Island.
It is the real Goliath among the owls.In many European countries the species is on the brink of extinction. In Bulgaria it is one of the protected species.
It is one of the most elegant and “slender” owls. When you see it – even only its back, you will immediately give up the thought the owls are boring and grim birds. Although the gray is the predominant color, the rusty pattern of the ordered dark strips catches the eye.
It is one of the largest and most interesting owls in Bulgaria. The wing span is up to 129 cm and the weight – almost 1 kg rank it second to the eagle owl. Its coloration imitates the bark of a tree. It belongs to the dark-eyed owls – its iris is dark brown.
The sousliks are numerous in our country, but threatened in the global aspect, because of the destruction of their habitats.
The pine marten is a typically forest animal. It inhabits old coniferous and mixed forests with hollowed trees.
The Lord of the mountain you would recognize by the paws footprints – the hind ones resemble human but have well expressed traces from the claws. Their length speaks about the age and the size of the animal. The males can reach 350 kg of weigh and live up to 30 years. They inhabit the forests, but often visit the mountain pastures.
It is a bit larger than the domestic one. The body is covered by thick and soft fir with gray-brown coloration in strips and spots. The tail is fluffy with three-four horizontal strips and black top.
Impressing with its noble outlook, the red deer is the second largest European deer. The average body length of the males is 250 cm, and their shoulder length is 152 cm on the average, and the average weight is 235 kg. The females are smaller.
The chamois is characterized by its reddish-brown fur, that becomes dark brown in winter. The coloration on the muzzle is black and white, and there is a characteristic black strip along the whole back. Both sexes are horned.
Middle-sized vespertilionid bat (weight 7 – 18 g and body length 43 –55 mm), which belongs to rich of species genus Myotis. Besides the rest of the middle sized bats of this genus the relatively longer ears reaching to about a half of the body length are characteristic for this species.
The coloration of the fox (Vulpes vulpes) varies from orange-reddish to black. It has a long tail and well-developed hearing.
It mainly inhabits hilly and mountainous areas. In general the wolf can be seen in remote, well-wooded mountainous and inaccessible places. The hiding places of the wolves are located in afforested and well-protected slopes and ravines away from the towns and cities where men live and work. The trails of the wolf resemble those left by domestic dogs. The wolf feeds on mammals and birds.
The coloration on the back of the badger (Meles meles) is silvery and the stomach part is brown, with black and white strips on the head. The trails left by the badger resemble those of the bear, only they are smaller in size.
The wild boar can be found in deciduous and mixed forests. It feeds on fruit, tuber, small mammals, carrion, eggs, etc. When searching for food it can even be seen on the alpine pastures of the park.
The doe inhabits mixed and deciduous forests. It feeds on fruit, leaves, grass, mushrooms, etc. The generative period is from July to august.
The mole rat is nether mole, nor a rat – it belongs to the order of the rodents. It inhabits the typical open spaces.
It is a large, crow-sized falcon, with a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"
The agile frog spends the winter under the water. The female lays eggs (from 600 to 1400) at night, which are situated in small heaps amidst the aquatic plants and fallen twigs.
The blind worm has the capability to “brake” its tail in case of danger, especially when someone tries to catch it.
The young specimens differ from the older ones by their coloration.
The adder or viper (Vipera berus) has a wide sharply broken zigzag-shaped dark stripe. It reaches up to 70, rarely 80 cm in length.
The coloration of the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) varies from rusty to dark brown from above and from whitish with small dark spots to dark brown from below.
The goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a middle rapacious bird (length of the body – up to 55 sm., spread of the wings – up to 160 sm.).
Тhe kite can be seen near rocky places, outskirts of thin forests and fields with single trees.
There are two basic color types of the tawny owl (Strix aluco) – gray-brown and rusty-brown. Its body is brighter from bellow with nuance of the predominant color of the back. The belly and the chest are checkered with longitudinal and cross cuts
Гърбът на горския сънливец е сивокафяв, а коремът е бял с жълтеникав оттенък.













