On 20.02.2023, at the invitation of the Botеvgrad Regional Historical Museum, we from Green Balkans opened two exhibitions. The first one is the Photo Exhibition "Natura 2000 in Bulgaria" - shots by renowned photographers showcasing various territories and species included in the Natura 2000 Ecological Network. It includes 28 attractive images of beautiful habitats and species of European conservation importance. The second exhibition is called "Wild Nature", which presents life-size models of protected bird and mammal species that we work on conserving and restoring, created by Nikolay Todorov - Art Model.
The models include:
The models include:
Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) - the largest falcon in Bulgaria, globally endangered and critically endangered in Bulgaria. The species and its habitats are protected within the Natura 2000 Ecological Network.
Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) - a globally endangered and protected species, subject to conservation within the Natura 2000 Ecological Network. Bulgaria is an important area for the species' conservation, as during colder years, almost the entire global population spends the winter in the area of Primorska Dobrudzha.
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) - a symbol of Bulgarian nature conservation and extinct from the country's territory for over 50 years. Included in the IUCN Red List as "Near Threatened" and numerous other international regulations. In Bulgaria, the species is extinct, listed in Appendices 2 and 3 of the Biodiversity Act.
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus Hablizl, 1783) - The Griffon Vulture is one of the four vulture species found in Europe, a large and impressive bird. It was once widely distributed and numerous, but currently, there are only 1-2 active nests in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. Thanks to the efforts of nature conservation organizations, the species' population is increasing, and it can be observed in the Stara Planina, Eastern Rhodope Mountains, and Kresna Gorge.
Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) - Strictly protected species listed in Appendices 2 and 3 of the Biodiversity Act, Bern Convention - Appendix II, Bonn Convention - Appendix II, EUROBATS, and Directive 92/43/EEC - Appendix 4. It is a rare species mainly found in the mountains (Rila, Pirin, Rhodope Mountains, Stara Planina).
Bottlenose Dolphin, life-size (Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821) - Bottlenose dolphins are distributed throughout the entire coastal zone of the Black Sea, and sometimes they are found far offshore. They usually form large groups in the autumn. This is the largest representative of cetaceans in the Black Sea, reaching a length of up to 3.3 meters and weighing up to 300 kg. Their lifespan is 25-30 years.
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena Linnaeus, 1758) - The Harbor Porpoise is the smallest representative of cetaceans in the Black Sea, with an average body length of 1.3-1.5 meters and an average weight of 30 kg. The head is short and rounded, and the rostrum (beak) is not distinguishable.
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni, Fleischer, 1818) - The Lesser Kestrel is a small falcon species closely related to the Common Kestrel. It is a predator whose main diet consists of large insects and small rodents, making it a useful ally in pest control in agricultural territories.
Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmeus) - Also known as the Little Devil, the Pygmy Cormorant is a medium-sized colonial fish-eating bird. The species is closely associated with various types of aquatic environments and usually nests in mixed colonies alongside herons. It is a breeding, migrating, and wintering species in Bulgaria and can be found year-round in the country.
During the opening, we presented Green Balkans as an organization and our work, along with a brief lecture on endangered and protected bird species and other animals we work with.
We provided visitors with free informational materials, leaflets, flyers, children's information boards, and stickers featuring protected species.
The exhibitions are located in the Heterotopias Hall for Contemporary Art, adjacent to the Tourist Information Center in Botеvgrad. The residents of the city and surrounding areas will be able to visit and explore the exhibitions every day from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 5 pm for the next two months.
We would like to express our gratitude for the invitation, assistance, and perfect organization by the Botеvgrad Regional Historical Museum and to all the visitors who were eager and attended the exhibitions since their opening!
Until we meet again!
For additional information:
Polya Toncheva - Communications Specialist
Mobile: 0894059156, е-mail: ptoncheva@greenbalkans.org
Iva Zhekova - Communications Specialist
Mobile: 0877619920, e-mail: izhekova@greenbalkans.org
