Nature park Rilski manastir: Fauna
At The Nature Park Rila Monastery there are various micro- and macro-habitats. Because of this diversity of habitat there are many and varied animal species.
Both invertebrate and vertebrate animals participate in the cycling of nutrients through the park’s ecosystems.
Because of their mobility, the park’s animal species are comparatively more noticeable and visible to visitors, especially insect and vertebrate species.
Within the park’s boundaries there are many endemic and relict faunal species which are protected on a national and international level.
The forest, rivers, lakes, cliffs and alpine meadows of the park are ideal sanctuaries for many different species of animal.
The alpine biome above 2,000 meters is the habitat of the following faunal species: Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris), Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta), Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis), and many others.
In the turbulent and frothy upper reaches of the park’s rivers and streams one can find Balkan Trout (Salmo trutta fario).
In the dense and ancient forest of the park there are: Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Wolf (Canis lupis), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Stock Dove (Columba oenas), Picoides major, Black Woopecker (Dryocopos matius), and a multitude of invertebrate faunal species and others.
And in the more open woodlands and forest meadows of the park there are these species: Badger (Meles meles), Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Song Thrush (Turdus philomelus), Treecreeeper (Certhia familiaris), Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), Marten (Martes foina), Martes martes, Doormouse (Dryomys nitedula), and many others.
Close to river and stream banks one will find: Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), Mountain water frog (Rana temporaia), Dipper (Cinclus cinclus), and others.
Thermophilic faunal species are well represented in the park, especially on the southern-aspected slopes. An example of such thermophilic species is Carpathian Scorpion (Euscorpius carpathicus).
Throughout the park there are about 20 species of amphibian and reptile.
Butterflies (Order Chiroptera) are represented by 16 species within the park’s boundaries, all of which are protected.