Ecologia Balkanica

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https://doi.uni-plovdiv.bg/handle/store/4

p-ISSN: 1314-0213 / e-ISSN: 1313-9940

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Floating platform for continuous monitoring of surface water quality
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-11) Popov, Rumen; Tokmakov, Dimitar; Petrova, Slaveya; Nikolov, Bogdan
Monitoring the quality of river water in real time is critical for protecting aquatic life, public health, and the sustainability of our freshwater resources. A Floating Online Monitoring System enables continuous, remote measurement of key water parameters—like pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, and contaminants—right at the water’s surface. For this purpose, an automatic, remote measuring station was developed, intended for installation on the floating platform. It is designed for not only collecting and archiving information about the ecological situation along the river, but also periodically forwards the data to a communication server.
Performance evaluation and cross-validation of low-cost particulate matter sensors for environmental research
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-10) Terziyski. Atanas; Kochev, Nikolay; Tenev, Stoyan; Georgieva, Svetlanna
Particulate monitoring data plays a vital role in supporting analysis, policymaking, and citizen initiatives, especially in areas related to ecology, air quality, public health, and overall quality of life. However, traditional regulatory monitoring systems are expensive and have drawbacks: they do not provide real-time data and cover only a limited number of official locations. As an alternative, low-cost monitoring devices are increasingly being used, but concerns remain regarding their accuracy and the reliability of the data they produce. As part of efforts to validate low-cost monitoring approaches, this work presents the design, implementation, and ongoing development of a low-cost, sensor-based air quality monitoring system dedicated to monitoring fine particulate matter (PM) and other atmospheric indicators within the METER.AC network. The system integrates multiple devices with various sensors, such as Honeywell HPMA115S0, Sensirion SEN55, and related SEN series, along with GPS modules for precise timestamp and geolocation. Data acquisition is synchronized and automated via UNIX shell scripts, which extract, convert, and process measurement data into structured CSV files containing parameters like PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature, humidity, etc. Fluke 985 Particle Counter is a high-quality professional device used as an independent benchmark for crossvalidation, providing particle counts for sizes: 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 µm. Measurement data are collected at 10-minute intervals and uploaded to a public visualization platform, where interactive graphs and summaries are generated. Also, this study aims to approximate the mass of airborne particulate matter based on particle size distribution derived from the FLUKE device output. On the basis of particle counts, the underlying particle size distribution is estimated with regression models.
AI-supported counselor training for socio-ecological resilience
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-10) Manolov, Manol
As higher education experiences rapid technological advancements, the integration of intelligent technologies and generative artificial intelligence into counselor training presents a practical approach to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, while also promoting environmentally sustainable, low-resource, paperless instructional methods. This research introduces an AI-enhanced instructional ecosystem for counseling psychology, which combines HeyGen to simulate therapeutic sessions, Canva for organizing and delivering interactive content, and ChatGPT combined with Designrr to produce customizable, digital workbooks. Prior studies suggest that embedding large language models within course design enhances transversal skills such as critical thinking, structured reasoning, and professional communication; avatar-based storytelling and simulations increase engagement, retention, and analytical depth in university contexts; and personalized digital workbooks support knowledge organization and higher-order cognitive processing. The evaluation used a design-oriented approach that examined workflow usability and material efficiency (e.g., paper savings) for the Canva–HeyGen–Designrr algorithm. Ecologically, the workflow explicitlyprepares trainees to identify and address uncertainty-related eco-anxiety and climate distress through targeted simulations and structured reflective prompts, while its fully digital infrastructure reduces paper consumption by replacing printed vignettes, supervision materials, and journals with reusable electronic resources. The findings suggest that AI-supported, environmentally sustainable training can simultaneously enhance counseling competencies and promote sustainable educational practices, if the energy consumption associated with AI technologies is appropriately monitored and managed within program implementation.
IoT framework for environmental monitoring in Strandzha Nature Park
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-22) Tokmakov, Dimitar; Bekyarova-Tokmakova, Anna; Asenov, Stanislav; Shotarova, Snezha; Lyubomirov, Slavi
Environmental monitoring plays a critical role in preserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable management of protected areas. However, traditional monitoring approaches often lack efficiency, precision, and real-time responsiveness. This paper introduces an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) framework specifically designed for environmental monitoring in Strandja Nature Park—a region of significant ecological value located in Bulgaria. The proposed framework integrates advanced sensing technologies, low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) communications (LoRaWAN), and cloud-based analytics to enable real-time tracking of environmental parameters, including air quality, soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and wildlife presence. A practical deployment of the IoT system demonstrates enhanced capabilities in data acquisition, coverage, energy efficiency, and early detection of ecological disturbances. The results highlight significant improvements over conventional methods in terms of accuracy, data granularity, and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, this framework provides valuable insights for proactive environmental management, paving the way toward a more comprehensive, sustainable, and technologically advanced approach to biodiversity conservation in protected natural regions.
Ecologo-taxonomic investigations of fungi on Dragoica Mountain Ridge (Forebalkan) in Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-29) Lacheva, Maria; Radoukova, Tzenka
A list of lignicolous and terricolous fungi recorded on Dragoica mountain ridge is given in this article. Here are presented a total of 169 species, mainly from Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, and the largest part of them belong to the orders: Agaricales, Boletales, Hymenochaetales, Polyporales and Russulales. Of these fungi 76 species are reported for the first time from the Forebalkan floristic region, and for 93 species are reported new localities from the Forebalkan floristic region. Eight (8) species includes in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria: Agaricus macrocarpus, Amanita caesarea, A. vittadinii, Discina ancilis, Hericium coralloides, Lenzites warnieri, Tuber aestivum and Tulostoma fimbriatum. The research was conducted in different habitats: beech-oak forest, oak forest, beech- hornbeam forest, azonal vegetation and the shrubs along the Batulska river, Panega river and Malki Iskar river, in meadows and pastures. Of the fungi species registered, 95 are lignicolous and 74 are terricolous. Most of lignicolous species are saprobionts (80) and 15 species are parasites. From terricolous fungi, there are 44 mycorrhizal and 30 saprobionts. Some of the species such as Clavaria fumosa, Geastrum schmidelii, Hygrocybe punicea, Leccinum quercinum, Mycena aetites, M. bulbosa, Lepiota erminea and Vuilleminia cystidiata could be highlighted as rare. Other species such as Armillaria mellea, Bovista plumbea, Lactarius piperatus, Cantharellus cibarius, Marasmius oreades, Russula cyanoxantha, Trametes hirsuta, Xerulla radicata, etc. are abundant in certain periods of the year. The xerothermic species – Leucopaxillus lepistoides deserve special attention.
Continuous integrated monitoring of meteorological conditions and air quality dynamics in the urban core of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-01) Paskaleva, Vesselina; Terzyiski, Atanas; Tenev, Stoyan; Kochev, Nikolay
This study provides a comprehensive three-year analysis (2023–2025) of meteorological conditions and air quality parameters in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The research examines the interactions between temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind characteristics, and fine particulate matter concentrations (PM₂.₅), with the goal of improving the understanding of local atmospheric dynamics and pollution patterns. Recorded temperatures ranged from −7.0°C to 40.4°C. The highest pollution episodes were consistently observed during the coldest months, largely due to intensified household heating combined with reduced atmospheric dispersion under stable winter conditions. Wind speed and direction analyses revealed a significant influence on pollutant dispersion, with lower wind speeds promoting the accumulation of airborne particles, particularly in the city’s low-lying zones. Precipitation intensity varied considerably across the study period, with the most intense events reaching up to 94.73 mm/h. These episodes were associated with temporary reductions in airborne particle concentrations due to effective washout processes. Overall, the results demonstrate a strong interdependence between meteorological variability and air pollution dynamics in Plovdiv.
Preparation and investigation of curcumin-containing PLA composite films for food packaging application
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-10) Viraneva, Asya; Grigorov, Aleksandar; Yovcheva, Temenuzhka
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable natural polymer known as a promising biopolymer that can be used for food packaging due to its good physical and physicochemical properties. This biopolymer possesses excellent thermal processability, good oxygen barrier capacity, and complete biodegradability, and it is one of the materials used as a food packaging material. PLA has a significant potential for optimizing physical properties through material modifications, including in combination with natural additives as different polyphenols. Polyphenols are a class of naturally occurring compounds found in plants, which exhibit a wide range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. In the present paper PLA PLA-based composite films with incorporated polyphenol curcumin with different concentrations were investigated. PLA composite films were prepared using a solution casting method. The films obtained were charged in a corona discharge. The electret properties of the charged samples were studied. The possible surface potential decay mechanisms responsible for the electret’s behavior were discussed. It was established that the surface potential decay depends on the corona polarity and the type of films.
Reintroduced Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug Gray, 1834) are dependent on European ground squirrels during the breeding period in Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-11) Georgiev, Dilian; Petrov, Rusko; Andonova, Yana; Klisurov, Ivaylo; Angelov, Ivaylo; Stamenov, Anton; Gradinarov, Dimitar; Arkumarev, Volen
This study examines the diet of the reintroduced Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) population in Bulgaria. By combining food-remain analysis, visual observations, and camera-trap monitoring, we documented 144 prey items taken by Saker Falcons during the 2020, 2024, and 2025 breeding seasons. The analysis revealed a pronounced dietary specialization: the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) was the overwhelmingly dominant prey, representing 80.56% of all identified occurrences (N=144). Other rodent species accounted for 8.3% of the food items and birds represented 10.42% of the food items. The pronounced dependence on S. citellus underscores its essential role in the diet of the falcons. Consequently, conservation efforts should prioritize the protection and restoration of pasture systems, and the recovery of declining ground squirrel populations.
An AI-powered knowledge base for scientific abstracts: a case study on environmental DNA (eDNA) in biomonitoring
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-05) Baev, Vesselin; Gecheva, Gana
Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to genetic material shed by organisms into their environment, such as water, soil, or air. As a non-invasive biomonitoring method, eDNA has revolutionized biodiversity assessment by enabling the detection of species presence without direct observation or capture. This approach is especially critical for tracking invasive, elusive, or endangered species and monitoring ecosystem changes due to climate or anthropogenic pressures. Over the past decade, a growing body of scientific literature has explored eDNA applications, resulting in a fragmented but rich landscape of domain-specific knowledge. Navigating this information is increasingly challenging for researchers and policymakers. To address this, we developed BioTrace, an AI-powered knowledge base designed to support conversational exploration of scientific abstracts focused on eDNA in biodiversity monitoring. BioTrace leverages a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture, integrating the mistral-saba-24b large language model via the Groq API for ultra-fast, low-latency inference. Scientific abstracts are indexed using a vector store, and retrieved passages are reranked using the all-MiniLM-L6-v2 model to improve answer relevance. Users can query the system in natural language and receive grounded, context-aware responses that synthesize findings across multiple studies. So far, the knowledge base includes more than 4000 abstracts on eDNA studies. This work demonstrates the potential of large language models (LLMs) to distil scientific literature into accessible, structured knowledge. BioTrace empowers users with real-time, interpretable insights into eDNA research, serving as a blueprint for future AI-based tools in ecological and environmental sciences.
Onopordum acanthium (Linnaeus, 1753) seeds from Southern Bulgaria: A promising natural source of lipid-soluble bioactive components
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-03) Petkova, Zhana; Teneva, Olga; Antova, Ginka; Angelova-Romova, Maria; Andonova, Tsvetelina; Dimitrova-Dyulgerova, Ivanka
The current study aimed to evaluate the chemical and lipid composition of seeds of Onopordum acanthium grown in South Bulgaria. The seeds were characterised with a high amount of carbohydrates (56.76%), and similar contents of proteins (16.05%) and glyceride oil (16.45%). The share of dietary fiber was very high, at 38.4%, and that of the ash content was 3.42%. The chemical composition of the seeds determined their good energy value, which was 439 kcal/100 g. The glyceride oil was rich in lipid-soluble bioactive components – unsaponifiable matter (2.70%), sterols (0.69%), tocopherols (172.50 mg/kg), and phospholipids (0.36%), as well as in various essential fatty acids, linoleic acid being the predominant one (69.3%). The other fatty acids found in high amounts were oleic (21.4%) and palmitic (5.3%) acids. The main sterols identified in the seed oil were β-sitosterol (62.2%), followed by stigmasterol (21.7%) and campesterol (8.6%). Two tocopherols were detected in the fraction: γ-tocopherol (74.7%) and αtocopherol (25.3%), while the predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylinositol (33.7%), phosphatidylcholine (13.1%), phosphatidylserine (12.9%), and phosphatidylethanolamine (11.9%). Important lipid indices were also calculated for O. acanthium seed oil – index of atherogenicity (0.0625), index of thrombogenicity (0.1735), hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic (HH) ratio (16.83), peroxidability index (70.64), and oxidation stability index (0.78). These characterristics depicted the health benefits and oxidative stability of the examined glyceride oil, determining its potential implementation in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic formulations.
Fungal diversity in Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean plant communities of Strandzha Mountain, Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-29) Lacheva, Maria; Radoukova, Tzenka
The present study reports 131 larger fungi in Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean plant communities of Mt Strandzha floristic region. Of these, sixty-nine (69) species are reported for the first time from Mt Strandzha floristic region. New localities on sixty-two (62) macrofungi are also reported. The predominant part of species belongs to the class Agaricomycetes (127 species), other part belongs to the Pezizomycetes (4 species). Seven species (Agaricus macrocarpus, Amanita caesarea, A. vittadinii, Clathrus ruber, Chlorophillum agaricoides, Geastrum triplex and Poronia punctata) are included in the Red List of fungi in Bulgaria and Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Five of them (Agaricus macrocarpus, Amanita vittadinii, Chlorophillum agaricoides, Geastrum triplex and Poronia punctata) are new to this floristic region. Myriostoma coliforme is rare and threatened in Bulgaria and Europe. The following rare, steppe, xerothermic and thermophilous fungi (Agaricus comtulus, A. cupreobrunneus, Chlorophyllum agaricoides, Entoloma incanum, Geastrum corollinum, G. pectinatum, G. striatum, Geopora arenicola, Hygrocybe virginea, Lepiota erminea, Leucopaxillus lepistoides and Myriostoma coliforme) deserve special attention. In addition, new collections of some threatened, rare, and lesser-known species are also included. The aim of the paper is to enrich the information about fungal diversity of the Mt Strandzha floristic region, which area is important for conservation of the fungal diversity in Bulgaria.
In silico methods for mutagenicity prediction
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-04) Paskaleva, Vesselina; Cokova, Gergana
This research presents a thorough exploratory data analysis to develop an in silico model for mutagenicity prediction, contributing to Safe-by-Design strategies. Using a publicly available dataset, chemical structures were encoded via a range of molecular fingerprints and descriptors. Multiple machine learning algorithms—including k-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, and random forest—were assessed. Performance was validated through 10- fold cross-validation and further tested on an external dataset. Random Forest emerged as the most effective method, achieving a cross-validation MCC of 0.68. The in-house models showed competitive performance relative to existing publicly available tools.
Forest fires in Bulgaria - communication, coordination and coherence
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-20) Stoyanov, Todor
In recent years, forest fires have become a pan-European problem. Although mainly the Mediterranean countries are affected, large fires have also been observed in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia and many other countries. Most EU Member States have more burnt areas than average in the period 2013-2022. The risk of forest fires has spread to areas that were not previously at risk and extends far beyond the Mediterranean region. This is causing huge social, environmental, climatic and economic losses across Europe. The risk of forest fires expected to increase further due to climate change. Forest fires are catastrophic events that require rapid, accurate, and collaborative prevention and response. Effective communica-tion, coordination, and coherence among stakeholders are crucial to save lives, protect ecosys-tems, and minimize economic loss. Therefore, horizontal and vertical coordination, commu-nication and coherence of fire prevention and control measures should be improved. The aim of the present study is to analyze the legally established order for horizontal and vertical coordination, communication and coherence of forest fire prevention and control measures in Bulgaria, to identify shortcomings and to propose improvements.
Evaluating heavy metal pollution and health risks in river systems using Random Forest and XGBoost: Evidence from the Shkumbin River
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-19) Shyti, Bederiana; Basha, Lule; Bekteshi, Lirim
Surface water contamination by heavy metals poses significant ecological and health risks due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. This research evaluated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in river water samples and assessed their impact on the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI). Descriptive statistics revealed substantial variation among sampling sites, with HPI values ranging from 2.15 to 21.94. Although Cd and Pb were generally present in low concentrations, their localized maxima indicated potential hot spots of contamination, whereas Fe and Zn showed higher overall levels. To identify the most influential predictors of HPI, two machine learning regression models, Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were implemented. The RF model explained more than 90% of the variance in HPI, with Cd, Zn, and Cr emerging as the most critical contributors. The XGBoost model achieved even higher predictive accuracy (R² = 0.998, RMSE = 0.76), confirming Cd and Cr as dominant predictors, together accounting for nearly 80% of the model’s explanatory power. These findings highlight the pivotal role of Cd and Cr in shaping HPI dynamics and demonstrate the utility of ensemble learning methods for environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
Can photography be employed to analyze the diet of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni Fleischere 1818)?
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-12-10) Dalakchieva, Svetla; Popova, Aleksandra; Gradev, Gradimir; Yaneva, Stiliyana
Understanding the dietary composition of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is crucial for effective conservation, particularly in regions such as Bulgaria, where the species has recently been reintroduced. This study examines the feasibility of photography and videography as noninvasive methods for dietary analysis of this small colonial falcon. A total of 275 photographs and videos depicting feeding behavior were reviewed, 85 from Bulgaria and 190 from Türkiye. Prey items were identified and classified into major taxonomic categories. In both countries, insects dominated the diet (44.71% in Bulgaria, 52.11% in Türkiye), with Orthoptera being the most frequently consumed group (>90% of insect prey). Additional prey included small mammals, reptiles, millipedes, and birds, with notable regional differences in their proportions. The findings closely align with previous indirect studies (e.g., pellet analysis), validating the effectiveness of photographic methods. The study demonstrates that photography represents a valuable complementary tool for studying the diet of Lesser Kestrels, offering minimal disturbance and potential for citizen science applications. This approach enables large-scale data collection and supports long-term ecological monitoring and conservation management of the Lesser Kestrel in Bulgaria
Resistance of 3D - printed PVA filaments to bacterial degradation
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-20) Bashev, Anton; Assenov, Stanislav
This study systematically evaluates the resistance of 3D-printed PVA filaments (Bambu Lab) to bacterial biodegradation and their potential antimicrobial activity against two widespread environmental strains: Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative). Using the standardized agar diffusion method, a 15% PVA solution was tested against a positive control (gentamicin). The results showed no inhibition zones around the PVA samples for either bacterial strain, which clearly confirmed the lack of statistically significant antimicrobial activity (p > 0.05). These findings unambiguously demonstrate that under the experimental conditions, the 3D-printed PVA material not only lacks bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties but also exhibits resistance to the metabolism of the test microorganisms. From an engineering and ecological perspective, this implies that although PVA is water-soluble, its ultimate biodegradation in nature may be slow and inefficient in the absence of specialized microbial consortia. Consequently, the widespread use of PVA in 3D printing could contribute to its accumulation in soil and aquatic ecosystems. This highlights the need for a re-evaluation of its environmental compatibility and the development of improved composite formulations or end of life management strategies aimed at ensuring true biodegradability.
IoT sensor node for ammonia monitoring in livestock
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-19) Assenov, Stanislav; Tokmakov, Dimitar; Bekyarova-Tokmakova, Anna; Shotarova, Snezha; Lyubomirov, Slavi
Increased concentrations of ammonia (NH₃) in livestock buildings pose significant risks to animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and worker safety. The current study presents the design and validation of an Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor node to monitor ammonia concentration (NH₃) in real time in agricultural environments. A microcontroller for local data processing and a wireless communication module that transmits measurements to a cloud platform or mobile application. The prototype has been tested both in controlled laboratory conditions and on real livestock farms, demonstrating high accuracy (±5 ppm), low power consumption (battery power and additional solar panel), and resistance in dusty and humid environments. The collected data is analyzed using machine learning algorithms to predict dangerous levels of NH₃ and automate ventilation controls. The results show that the proposed solution offers a cost-effective and scalable approach to reduce NH₃ emissions, improve animal welfare, and ensure regulatory compliance. Future work includes the integration of additional parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity) and implementation in smart farming systems.
A case of communal nesting of the Western broad-toothed field mouse (Apodemus epimelas Nehring 1902)
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-30) Nedyalkov, Nedko; Mladenov, Vladimir; Gospodinova, Plamena; Lohja, Tiziana
Here we report a case of communal nesting of Apodemus epimelas observed several times in a bunker in southern Albania. A. epimelas has a simple nest placed on the ground or in a small hole in the wall. The mice showed no aggressive behaviour.
Bioaccumulation of some heavy metals in plants and insects
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-10-20) Arnaudova, Desislava; Todorov, Krasimir; Stoyanov, Plamen; Georgieva, Deyana; Keranov, Hristo
The study in this scientific paper aimed to analyze the content of potentially toxic elements — heavy metals lead, cadmium, and zinc in soil, plant samples, and insect samples from three different areas: an uninhabited area, an industrial zone, and an urbanized area. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), it was found that the levels of heavy metals in soil, plants, and insects from the three studied areas were higher for lead, cadmium, and zinc in the industrial zone — soil: Pb - 850, Cd - 21.3, Zn - 996 (mg/kg); plants: Pb - 191, Cd - 7.79, Zn - 298 (mg/kg); insects: Pb - 24.5, Cd - 1.32, Zn - 160 (mg/kg). Based on the obtained data, the degree of bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium, and zinc was traced using the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) through the pathway: soil, plants, and insects. A BAF < 1 was found for plants, and a bioaccumulation process for cadmium and zinc was observed in two insect species (BAF > 2).
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with atypical three antlers
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-11-19) Petrov, Rusko; Petrova, Lora
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a common sight in the forests, bringing joy to nature lovers. Like all wild animals they also have their own unique characteristics and anomalies that can cause amazement and confusion. Although there are well-documented problems related to the growth, replacement and regeneration of antlers in male specimens, there are few known documented cases of animals with three antlers. In this study, we present photographic material and information about three cases in Bulgaria, where three-antlered roe deer bucks have been observed. This unusual phenomenon raises many questions and stimulates interest in further studies and observations in order to establish the causes of this anomaly.

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