Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan - part - usaid

February 2004
poaching are mostly large mammals, particularly chamois, red deer, roe, wild boar, as
well as large birds (there is evidence that even eagles have been shot in the Park).
Poaching affects the entire Park territory, but more markedly so the more remote
areas and higher altitudes, even though shots from a hunting weapon were recorded in
June 2002 in as central a locality as Kirilova Polyana (a specimen of Balkan chamois
shot in the latter location was brought to Kirilova Polyana in plain sight of students
from the Biology Department who were having their summer practicum there in June
2002). The numerous incidents of shooting (single reports as well as bursts of
automatic fire from assault rifles) detected in the Kalin Dam area, at Mramoretz
(Mermera) Peak, Smradlivoto Lake, Theodossievi Karauli and elsewhere, as well as
cartridge shells found on the ground and the numerous bullet marks visible on
standing objects, buildings and facilities throughout the Park, as reported during the
Rapid Ecological Assessment, are all evidence of the gravity of the problem. In
August 2002, a young bear was killed in the Suhoto Lake area, within the Rila
Monastery Forest Reserve no less.
Another kind of poaching is the collection of protected plants, rare invertebrate
organisms, reptiles, some birds, bats and other animals. Due to the fact that, as a rule,
all these activities are carried out by professionals, without making too much noise or
otherwise drawing attention to themselves, much too often they are difficult to notice
or identify, yet remain extremely dangerous as they amount to depriving the Park of
some biodiversity components of the highest rarity and conservation significance.
Significance: very high, to some species critical
Illegal fishing
This amounts to catching fish during periods when fishing is banned, or by means
that are prohibited by law (incl. chemical agents or electrical shocks), or in quantities
and or species that are not allowed. It is among the most serious threats to the
ichthyofauna, and above all, to the Balkan trout population. In summer 2001, some 50
empty bottles of bleach were discovered along the higher section of the Iliyna River;
bleach is an agent used in illegal fishing. In addition to the direct damage to fish
populations within the Park, chemical poisoning and electrocution have a devastating
effect on the entire riverine ecosystem along a considerable stretch of the river. The
depletion of fish stocks directly affects other animals preying on them, like the river
otter.
Significance: high
Killing of non-game animals and picking of flowers
Individual incidents of killing of non-game animals by visitors to the Park have also
been reported. Most often, the victims are amphibians and reptiles of almost any kind,
especially snakes (killings of grass snakes, a species endangered on a European scale,
have been reported in Eleshnitsa and Pchelino localities; also in Eleshnitsa there has
been a similar killing of a viper; dormice have also been reported killed, etc.). More
often than not, such acts are due to ignorance on the part of visitors as to the actual
significance of these animals, to superstition or plain fear.
Rila Monastery Nature Park
Management Plan - Draft
2004 - 2013
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