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National Museum of Natural History

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Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

National Museum
of Natural History

Sofia
2008
Authors: Alexi Popov, Pavel Stoev

Photos: Assen Ignatov, Boyan Petrov, Pavel Stoev, Denis Geraads, Nikolay Simov, Mario
Langourov, Nikolay Tsankov, Konstantin Bouyukliev, Atanas Grozdanov

English text: Teodora Valkova

All rights reserved. This edition or parts of it cannot be reproduced in any way, transferred,
stored in information systems or distributed in any form or via media, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying or other devices without the authors’ permission.

© National Museum of Natural History – BAS

1, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia
tel.: (+359 2) 987 41 95
fax: (+359 2) 988 28 94
e-mail: nmnh@nmnh.bas.bg
http://www.nmnh.bas.bg

Out of print: 20.05.2008

Format: 60x90/8
Circulation: 1000
Printed sheets: 2.5

Pre-print: Rossitsa Kaneva

Print: Neoprint
 History

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) has a history of almost one
hundred and twenty years. It is the oldest museum in Bulgaria and the oldest and richest
among the natural history museums on the Balkan Peninsula. It was founded in 1889
by the Prince (later King) Ferdinand under the name Natural History Museum of the
Prince. At first it used to accommodate Prince Ferdinand’s personal collections of birds,
mammals and butterflies. The first curator of the museum was the court doctor Dr. Paul
Leverkühn who was a famous ornithologist. He organized the first exhibition in 14 halls
on two floors in an old building where today’s museum stands and it was opened for
visits in 1907. That year the first and until now the only complete catalogue of collections
was issued listing several thousand specimens of that time.
Until WWI the museum added collections mainly from abroad, donated or bought
from famous foreign collectors and travellers: Count Amédée Alléon, Emil Holub,
Stewart Baker, Josef Haberhauer, Julius Milde, etc. In the next decades almost all private
collections of the first Bulgarian zoologists, botanists and geologists, such as Nikola
Nedelkov, Petar Tschorbadjiev and Dimitar Ioakimov, Ivan Neitscheff, Ivan Urumoff
and Anani Javascheff, Prof. Georgi Zlatarski and Rafail Popov were incorporated.
The museum underwent a particularly intensive development under the management
of Dr. Ivan Buresch, member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, who ran the museum
from 1914 to 1959. At that time it was called the Royal Museum and laid the foundations
of the Royal Natural History Institutes established in 1918. Expeditions to all Bulgarian
mountains and to the neighbouring Balkan countries were organized to enrich the
museum collections. Many new animal and plant species were discovered. The museum
turned into the main center of studies on natural sciences in Bulgaria. A journal of great
international authority started to come out. Today’s four-storey building, which harbours
collections from 1936, is the only building in Sofia constructed for a museum. It was
destroyed during the WWII bombings but the collections were preserved due to their
timely evacuation.
After the war the building was restored to its previous condition and the new
exhibition was opened for visitors in 1948. That year the museum was renamed Museum
of Natural History. During the reorganization of the Bulgarian Academy of Science in
1947 it was the first institution to become a division of the Academy. The same year,
on the basis of the museum collections three new academic institutes were established:
Zoological, Botanical and Geological. Only the zoological collections remained in the
building. Later, a period of regress ensued when the museum was closed for visitors and
the exhibition was limited to 9 halls from the previous 22.
That made the Council of Ministers adopt a decision in 1974 on the restoration of
the museum as an independent scientific unit at the BAS Presidium and it acquired a
national statute. The exhibition enlarged, occupying 16 halls, once again displaying
minerals, rocks, fossils and plants, and the animal halls were arranged in a modern
manner. After the museum gained its independence, the number of employees increased
over two times and the number of publications per year went up several times. Once
again a museum library was established and a new museum journal started coming out.
In 1990 a Palaeontological Museum was founded as a branch of NMNH in the town of
Assenovgrad.


 Mission
The mission of National Museum of Natural History incorporates the following
areas: fundamental and applied studies, management and preservation of collections,
promotion of natural history knowledge through the exhibition and popular literature,
training of PhD students and young experts, expert activities.
NMNH is the only national institution directly engaged with the preservation of
scientific collections of living and non-living nature from Bulgaria and the world. The
study of biodiversity, environmental protection and the evolution of organisms are the
museum’s major priorities. Consequently, the main task of NMNH is the comprehensive
study of the fauna, flora, fossils, minerals and rocks of Bulgaria and other countries.
It develops the following scientific areas: taxonomy, faunistics, zoogeography and
ecology of arachnids, myriapods, insects and all classes of vertebrates; taxonomy of
fossil mammals, birds and brachiopods; floristics; mineralogy. Some of the areas have
priority as a result of which NMNH has become the national center of biospeleology,
archaeozoology and palaeontology of vertebrates and of bat studies. Insect studies are
also highly developed.

Fig. 1. The staff of the National Museum of Natural History, November 2007

Museum activities for maintenance of the exhibition and the enrichment and
processing of scientific collections are performed along with the scientific studies. With
this, NMNH is pursuing its educational and promotional mission. Yearly the museum is
visited by some 50 000 (in some years up to 115 000) people. Students and pupils use its
halls for practical seminars. Temporary exhibitions are organized. In the last two years
the topics of exhibitions have been: 120 Years of the Birth of Academician Ivan Buresch,
Aconcagua Through the Eyes of a Zoologist, Rock Mysteries, Bulgarians on the Way to K2 Peak
in Karakorum, 30 Years of Bulgarian Participation in UNESCO’s Program The Man and the
Biosphere.


 Structure and Budget
Until 2008 the structure of NMNH included nine
departments: Non-insect Invertebrates, Insects, Fish,
Amphibians and Reptiles, Recent and Fossil Birds, Recent
and Fossil Mammals, Fossil Invertebrates, Plants, Rocks
and Minerals. Currently the museum consists of four
departments: Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Plants, and Fossils
and Minerals. The Palaeontological Museum in Assenovgrad
is a branch of NMNH. Its collection is unique, exhibiting
fossil mammal fauna from the Miocene known as Pikermian
or hipparion fauna. NMNH employs 49 people (Fig. 1), 28
of whom have university education. NMNH’s Scientific
Council consists of 14 members, 1 of which is Professor, 7
Fig. 2. Exhibit of Caroline
parakeet (Conuropsis caro- Associate Professors, 3 Assistant Professors and 3 Doctors.
linensis), a species which The budget of NMNH for 2006 was BGN 425 000.
became extinct in 1914 Among the institutes within the Biological Sciences division
of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the museum occupies
the last, fifteenth place in terms of budget subsidies, and in terms of own income it is in
the first half. The own income (projects, ticket sales, etc.) represents 54% of the budget
subsidy in 2006 or 35% of museum’s total budget. The relative share of own income
shows a lasting tendency of increase in recent years. In 2004-2006 the increase was 2.7
times (or by 84% per annum). NMNH’s financial revenues in 2007 amounted to a total
of BGN 415 260, BGN 314 300 of which was a subsidy from BAS and BGN 100 960 from
own income.

Fig. 3. New exhibition hall Large Mammals


 Collections
The scientific collections preserved in the National Museum of Natural History are
the most representative of this type on the Balkan Peninsula. They incorporate a total of
one million specimens, including over 460 mammal species and over 1990 bird species.
The reptile and amphibian collection is one of the richest in Europe. The insects account
for some 480 000 specimens, the other invertebrates are over 300 000 as well. The museum
preserves around one fourth of the mineral species from around the world and more than
30 000 samples of fossil invertebrates. The collection of cave fauna from Bulgaria and other
countries is particularly rich including many species, which are not presented in any other

Fig. 4. Diorama of a tiger (Panthera tigris)

Fig. 5. Diorama of a white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), the

only example of entire stuffed rhinoceros in Southeast Europe.
Stuffed in NMNH in 2004


 Fig. 6. Diorama of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

museum in the world. Hundreds of type specimens, used to describe new species, are the
focus of international interest. Contributions to collections are made through collecting
activities throughout the country, expeditions and individual trips abroad, exchange
with similar institutions abroad, donations, buy-outs of private collections, delivery of
collections or individual specimens confiscated by the customs or other authorities. The
palaeontological branch in Assenovgrad preserves some 30 000 fossil bones of Miocene
mammals which have inhabited this part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Exhibition
The museum exhibition occupies 16 halls on 4 floors. It has on display the Caroline
parakeet (Fig. 2), which became extinct world-wide, monk seal, bearded vulture, little
bustard, gray and maiden crane, steppe viper, German sturgeon, all of which are extinct in
Bulgaria. In the recent years, several dioramas were added to the exhibition depicting the
living nature of the Arctic (polar bears and seal, Fig. 3), Africa (black panther), Asia (tiger,
Fig. 4) and South American tropical forest (jaguar, macaw parrots, tamarin monkeys).
Other large mammals recently exhibited are the white rhinoceros (Fig. 5), the Himalayan
bear, cheetahs (Fig. 6), American bisons. The visitors are intrigued by one of the last
pure-bred European bisons found in nature, the brown bear (largest in Europe), the rare
red panda, the beautiful birds of paradise, toucans, the Californian condor extinct in the
wild, the different types of pheasants with splendid feathers, the giant African tortoise,
the blind cave fish from America, the mudskipper fish which can move on land as well.
In the Assenovgrad branch the visitors can see a cast of a deinothere skeleton (Fig. 7), one
of the largest terrestrial mammals of all times, 6.80 m long and 4.50 m tall. There are also
skeletons of a saber-toothed cat, hipparions, antelopes, mastodons, monkeys.


Fig. 7. Cast of the skeleton of a giant deinothere (Deinotherium gigantissimum), one of the largest
terrestrial animals that ever inhabited Bulgarian lands. Exhibited in the Palaeontological branch
in Assenovgrad

International Cooperation
The National Museum of Natural History maintains close relations with similar
institutions (museums, institutes, university departments) all over the world. In recent
years NMNH researchers have been working on joint projects with their colleagues from
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris (France), Museo Nacional de Ciencias
Naturales, Madrid (Spain), Society for the Study and Conservation of Mammals VZZ,
Arnhem (the Netherlands), Dutch Butterfly Conservation, Wageningen (the Netherlands),
Marshall University, Huntington (USA), Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago (USA)
and many other. There are also international projects involving academic exchange with
Spain, France and the Czech Republic.
Dozens of foreign scientists use the museum collections every year to perform their
studies and NMNH researchers actively participate in the research of museum collections
worldwide. In 2007 alone NMNH was visited by 11 foreign scientists who worked jointly
with the museum experts or researched its collections. That year volunteers from West
Europe (Belgium, France and Italy) started working for the museum, helping to maintain
the collections or assisting specific scientific projects (Fig. 8).
NMNH is the national center for implementation of the Washington Convention on
International Trade of Endangered Species of the Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and


 Fig. 8. Belgian and French volunteers gathering fossils in the Iskar gorge

its Director represents Bulgaria in the EU Scientific Group on CITES issues. Museum
experts prepare statements for different specialized bodies of the European Commission
on national issues concerning biodiversity conservation. Recognition for the scientific
achievements of some of NMNH experts is their participation as editors of foreign journals
such as Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie (Stuttgart), International Journal of
Myriapodology, Annals of the Upper Silesian Museum (Bytom), Lacewing News and Biologia
Macedonica.

Projects
In the last five years the number and volume of Bulgarian and international projects
with scientific, applied or nature conservation focus, in which NMNH experts took part,
increased considerably to reach in 2007 the number of 58. In 2007 only, the museum
participated in the implementation of eleven projects funded by the European Commission,
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the National Geographic Society,
SCOPES program of the Swiss National Science Foundation and other international
organizations. It is worth mentioning several of these international projects of scientific
and public significance some of which with direct nature protection impact:
1. Fauna Europaea – NAS extension (2001-2004). The museum is a leading national
institution in this project’s implementation within the EU Fifth Framework Program. A
list of animal species (without protozoans and sea fauna) established in Bulgaria was
made. Following the project’s closing, with the addenda the overall number amounted to
26 655 species, 20 574 of which insects. The project is of scientific importance, as it
rendered the first full list of the terrestrial animal species in Europe in the last 250 years
after the tenth edition of Carl Linnaeus’ Systema Naturae (1758) enumerating some 143
000 species.


 2. PESI (A Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure) (2008-2013). The
museum is a full partner (and the only from Bulgaria) along with 39 international scientific
institutions. The project was funded under the EU Seventh Framework Program. It aims
to integrate all the reliable taxonomical and nomenclature information on the biodiversity
in Europe.
3. Prime Butterfly Areas in Bulgaria: tools for nature conservation (2006-2007). The
project was funded by the Dutch government under BBI MATRA program. Fifty areas
of conservational importance for butterflies were designated which complemented the
national ecological network NATURA 2000 and became part of PEEN (Pan European
Ecological Network). GIS maps were drawn for these regions describing the main habitats
and systemizing the main threats. Based on original methodology and scientific criteria,
fifty three target species of European importance were determined along with many other
butterfly species of national importance, determining their conservation importance as
well.
4. Bats and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): tools for implementation
of the Habitats Directive of the EU and the EUROBATS Agreement in Bulgaria and
Romania (2007-2008). This project was also funded by the Dutch government under BBI
MATRA program. A manual was prepared containing original methodology for bat
assessment when preparing EIA. There are plans to train the employees of government
and private institutions on how to use it and to work out information materials promoting
bat conservation. The project is of great practical importance as bats are most affected by
environmental changes and for that reason all European bat species are protected by
international conventions. On the other hand, all species inhabiting Europe can be found
in Bulgaria as well.

Scientific Studies
Traditionally, the main part of the museum’s exhibitions and collections, as well as
its scientific activities, is related to the animal world. Particular attention is paid to the
biodiversity of Bulgaria and the neighbouring countries, and to the description of new
taxa from many countries all over the world. In the last decade, much of the museum
experts’ efforts are focused on the research on species inhabiting protected territories,
and on rare and endangered species.
In 2007, NMNH researchers published 53 scientific papers and delivered another
57 for print, almost half (44%) of them abroad. The scientific productivity of NMNH
scientists generally maintained its high level from previous years but there has been a
considerable increase in papers published in impact factor journals such as Journal of
Human Evolution, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Geobios, Zootaxa, Acta Palaeontologica
Polonica, Acta Geologica Polonica, European Journal of Entomology, Animal Biodiversity
and Conservation, Revue de Paléobiologie (Genève), and others. NMNH researchers have
published in scientific journals or books in the USA, New Zealand, Great Britain, Spain,
France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Poland,
the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania. Most of these publications contribute to the
systematics and morphology of animals, palaeontology, human evolution, the knowledge
of fauna and flora. Here are some of the considerable results of the recent years:
1. Biodiversity of the Rhodopes (2004-2006). There is one monograph devoted to the
biological diversity of the Eastern Rhodopes and another to that of the Western Rhodopes
(Fig. 9). The latter represents the first part of this research including fungi, algae, mosses,
vertebrates and some invertebrates. The two books are in English (a total of 1925 pages)
10
 Fig. 9. The third volume of the series Biodiversity of Bulgaria containing the
first part of the information on the biodiversity of Western Rhodopes

and contain information on the distribution of 6291 and 7375 species of animals, plants
and fungi in the Bulgarian and Greek parts of the mountain respectively, with data on the
conservational significance of the species and territories, distribution in terms of habitats,
zoogeographical affinities and endemism.
2. Biogeography and Ecology of Bulgaria (2007). A monograph (687 pages) was
issued by Springer as volume 82 of the series Monographiae Biologicae (Fig. 10). It analyzes
the species diversity, origin, geographical and ecological distribution, and problems of
conservation of all vertebrates and model groups of invertebrates in Bulgaria. Information
on the fauna of caves, underground waters and the Black Sea is reviewed. New hypotheses
on the origin of fauna and its distribution by categories and scenarios on their settlement
on the Balkan Peninsula are offered, paying particular attention to endemism and relicts.
The project is of scientific significance, as it examines one of the richest and most interesting
territories in Europe and at the same time the best studied country on the Balkan Peninsula
in terms of biodiversity.
3. The Red Book of Bulgaria, second edition (2004-2008). NMNH fulfilled this project
together with two other BAS institutions participating in volume 2 (Animals) with 4 editors
and 11 authors and almost entirely dealing with the insects and the large mammals and
partially working on the other animal groups. It determined the conservational status of
some 400 animal species in Bulgaria according to the official categories of the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It studied the distribution and abundance,
habitats and biology of some 280 species, and analyzed the threats to their existence,
highlighting the adopted and yet to be adopted measures for their protection. The new
edition of The Red Book updates the highly outdated information of the first edition
(1985), including for the first time invertebrates; published in Bulgarian and English, plus
an on-line edition.
4. Optimization of NATURA 2000 Ecological Network in Bulgaria and Scientific
Basis for its Sustainable Development (2007-2008). Under this project NMNH along
with other BAS institutes performed an expert assessment of proposed protected
territories under NATURA in Bulgaria and some missing information was added.
NMNH participates with 11 scientists in preparing an analysis of large mammals, bats,

11
 Fig. 10. The first monograph in English Fig. 11. The only book in Bulgaria,
on the biogeography and ecology of providing information on the conserva-
Bulgaria published by Springer and tionally important invertebrates areas in
mentioned in the journal Science the country

reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and of caves as habitats of great conservational

value. The main gaps in the standard forms on protected territories have been filled out.
National assessment for the larger part of the animal species within NATURA’s priorities
and evaluation of their representation within the protected zones were made. A critical
report was drafted on the biogeographical division of Bulgaria used by NATURA 2000,
proposing changes to the boundaries between the regions.
5. Prime Butterfly Areas in Bulgaria (2007). A bilingual, richly illustrated book was
published with a CD (Fig. 11). A bilingual internet site on the same topic was created,
containing additional information (For the book’s content, see Projects chapter). The
information contained in the book was officially submitted to NATURA 2000 project.
6. Caves and Speleology in Bulgaria (2006). A monograph in English (507 pages)
summarizing all published and providing much original information on caves in
Bulgaria, the scientific studies in them and the role of Bulgarian scientists in the research
of karst sites all over the world (Fig. 12). The book contains descriptions and maps of 260
large Bulgarian caves. It provided for the first time the world scientific community with
information on the Bulgarian achievements and clearly showed Bulgaria’s leading place
in the development of the speleology as a interdisciplinary science.
7. Neogene-Quaternary Geodynamics and Paleogeography of Middle Struma
River Valley Area (2005). It revised the stratigraphy of the late Miocene in Southwest
Bulgaria, proposing an original palaeogeographical and palaeoecological model of the
evolution of the palaeoenvironment (climate, relief, river system, landscape, vegetation
and animals) of that period.
8. National Biodiversity Monitoring System (2004-2005). Four scientists from
NMNH took part in the development of a system for assessment of biodiversity impacts.

12
Methodologies were proposed for monitoring of
large mammals, bats, amphibians, reptiles and
fish and the specific localities for their research
were determined (Figs 13-14). A practical manual
was prepared, aiming to assist the work of experts
from the Ministry of Environment and Waters in
analyses of the long-term changes in the number of
rare and endangered animal species.
Until now NMNH scientists have described
some 210 new genera, species and subspecies of
crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods and insects
from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and
Oceania, as well as fossil genera and/or species:
swan, duck, ibis, falcon, partridge, capercaillie,
dogs, rhinocerotoid, antelopes, tahr, monkey, etc. A
number of nomenclature changes have been made:
new synonyms, new combinations, new statuses.
Over 1000 animal species have been recorded as
new to the fauna of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria
Fig. 12. A book on the caves in Bulgaria,
and other countries (Figs 15-16). New for Bulgaria which can be considered the first Bul-
are a fossil ostrich, peacock, saber-toothed cat, etc. garian Encyclopaedia of Speleology
The first fossil hornbill from Europe was found in

Figs. 13-14. First use of radio-telemetry for studying the ecology and behaviour of the rare
Bechstein’s bat in the Strandzha Mountain

13
Fig. 15. Northern Crested newt (Triturus cristatus), new species to the fauna of Bulgaria, found
by herpetologists from NMNH in 2005 in the Vratza Mountain

Bulgaria, too. Recently, catalogues of the millipedes of the order Callipodida in the world
and the ground beetles in Bulgaria and Albania were published, as well as catalogues of
the NMNH collections of minerals (8195 specimens of 913 species from 94 countries) and
of different groups of animals.

Applied Science Activities

The practical aspects of the work of NMNH focus mainly on nature conservation.
Part of these activities are to the benefit of or under assignment of government bodies,
international organizations or EU bodies.
Fig. 16. Stephanitis rhododendri, a new species
of Heteroptera in Bulgaria, invasive species of
American origin, a pest on Rhododendrons
A work group headed by a NMNH
representative prepared a draft Law on
Caves for the National Assembly. The
drafting of many other documents is
headed by museum scientists, or they
participate in the process at the request
of the Ministry of Environment and
Waters (MoEW). Such documents are the
national action plans on the protection
of the two species of tortoises and three
priority and endangered orchid species,
as well as an Action plan for the Bulgarian
bear populations. NMNH experts have
participated in the preparation of the
management plans for the three national
parks in Bulgaria – Central Balkan, Rila
and Pirin, for the natural parks Vrachanski
Balkan, Sinite Kamani, Shumensko Plato,
Rilski Manastir and many other protected
territories. A new natural park in the

14
Gabrovo Balkan is proposed. Expert comments concerning the Environmental impact
assessments of the planned Struma highway and on the mining and processing of gold-
bearing ores near Krumovgrad were submitted to the High Expert Council at the MoEW.
The rangers of the Central Balkan national park have been acquainted with the ecology
of the wolf.
For the purposes of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works a
management plan was prepared for Orlova Chuka cave in Russe region. For the purposes
of the Customs Agency a training course of educational lectures was developed, and a text
book for customs officers on the animal species included in the Washington Convention
on International Trade of Endangered Species of the Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was
published.
NMNH experts were actively collaborating with the EU bodies regarding the nature
conservation of the Kresna gorge, and particularly with regard to Government’s plans to
build Struma highway. The unique nature of the gorge fauna and the threats to it were
reported to representatives of the Directorate General for Environment of the European
Commission in Brussels and to the Committee of Transport at the European Parliament
and to the Bureau of the Convention on Conservation of the Wild European Flora and
Fauna and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), to which Bulgaria is a party.
NMNH scientists are authors of popular scientific books and articles, consultants
and translators of films on similar topics. Museum experts render their qualification
and knowledge to assist similar scientific institutions in Bulgaria and abroad, private
companies and persons, by working out expert positions and assessments of minerals
and hunting trophies. They also provide consultations regarding the control of pests in
agriculture and forestry.

Fig. 17. Research of amphibians in Rila Mountain with the participation of students of
St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia

15
 Academic Activities
NMNH scientists deliver lectures and seminars in the St. Kliment Ohridski University
(zoogeography, herpetology, Fig. 17) and Paisiy Hilendarski University of Plovdiv
(acarology). Since 1974, 21 dissertations have been prepared in NMNH, in the fields of
zoology, entomology, botany, ecology and ecosystem conservation, palaeontology and
stratigraphy, mineralogy and crystallography, 16 of which were successfully defended.
NMNH scientists serve as thesis supervisors to PhD students from the universities in
Sofia, Plovdiv and Shumen, the Institute of Zoology and other scientific institutions.

Periodicals and Books

The first journal issued by the museum was Mitteilungen aus den Königlichen
naturwissenschaftlichen Instituten in Sofia – Bulgarien (16 volumes, 1928-1943). It
quickly gained international recognition; 62 foreign scientists published their works in
the journal which provided description of 260 new animal and plant taxa. While the
Natural History Museum was part of the Institute of Zoology, it published a journal
called Bulletin de l’Institut de zoologie et
musée (volumes 10-41, 1961-1974).
Currently NMNH publishes one
journal and three series:
1. Historia naturalis bulgarica (18
volumes, since 1989). This is the official
organ of the museum after it recovered
its independence (Fig. 18). Most of the
papers in it are in foreign languages.
It offers scientific contributions in the
fields of zoology, botany, palaeontology
and mineralogy and original articles on
museology, history of natural sciences and
Fig. 18. The current journal of the National
Museum of Natural History natural history institutions.
2. Biodiversity of Bulgaria (3 volumes,
since 2001). Each volume of the series is a collection of
papers containing published and original information
on the animal and plant species in a certain region.
This marked the beginning of an ambitious concept
of regional reviews systematizing the information on
the regions in Bulgaria, which are interesting from
the point of view of fauna, flora, zoogeography and
environmental protection. It is the first project of this
kind on the Balkan Peninsula.
3. Bureschiana (1 volume, 2008). A series of
monographs. The first volume is devoted to the high-
mountain terrestrial non-insect anthropods of the Old
World.
4. Acarorum Catalogus (volume 1, 2008). The series
is a catalogue of Acari of the world. The first volume
deals with two superfamilies.
Fig. 19. The newest book of Beside the periodicals, in the last two years NMNH
NMNH devoted to mammals and published books as well (some of which are mentioned
their protection in Bulgaria

16
above) such as Caves and Speleology in Bulgaria; Biogeography and Ecology of
Bulgaria; Prime Butterfly Areas in Bulgaria; Mammals Important for Preservation in
Bulgaria (Fig. 19) and others.

Expeditions
Until the 1960s, the collecting and expedition activities of the museum researchers
were focused mainly on the fauna of Bulgaria. Occasionally zoological materials were
collected from Africa and the neighbouring Balkan countries. Contributions to the museum
collections with specimens from other countries became more active after 1970 when
expeditions to different regions in the world were held: Africa, the Himalayas, China, Korea,
Indonesia, New Guinea, Mexico, Cuba, South America, etc. In 1983 NMNH organized
an expedition to Mozambique.
Research trips to Asia in 1984-
1995 were headed by museum
associates. Particular attention was
paid to biospeleological studies
in Bulgaria and other countries
(Fig. 20).
Scientists from NMNH
are invited to participate in
prestigious scientific and research
projects on the fauna of New
Guinea, Cuba, China. In recent
years many field studies have been
held to research palaeontological
sites in Bulgaria, Greece and the
Republic of Macedonia (Figs 21- Fig. 20. Studying the cave fauna in Gyaurhambar cave in
22). Nowadays activities aiming the Eastern Rhodopes
to enrich the museum collections
with materials from Bulgaria and abroad are still very active (Fig. 23). In the period 2006-
2008 scientists from NMNH took part in expeditions in Tunisia, Albania, Turkey, Georgia,
Kazakhstan (Fig. 24), Pakistan and Cambodia.

Figs. 21-22. Palaeontolocial research in Strumyani village, Struma valley. Jaw of rhinoceros

17
 Fig. 23. Studies of heteropterous insects in the coniferous belt of Slavyanka
Mountain

Fig. 24. Boyan Petrov studies Tian Shan Mountain in Kazakhstan

18
 Management and Contacts

Director
Dr. Alexi Popov, Associate Professor
tel.: (+359 2) 988 28 94
e-mail: alpopov@bulinfo.net

Scientific Secretary (Vice-Director)

Dr. Pavel Stoev, Associate Professor
tel.: (+359 2) 987 36 80
e-mail: stoev@nmnh.bas.bg

Administrative Director and Office

Ivo Stoychev, Eng.
tel.: (+359 2) 987 41 95
е-mail: stoytchev@engineer.com

Accountancy
Milena Goranova, Chief Accountant
tel.: (+359 2) 987 41 95
e-mail: dozo@abv.bg

Tickets
tel.: (+359 2) 988 51 15 (extension 706)

Palaeontological Museum, NMNH – BAS branch, Assenovgrad

Dimitar Kovachev, Curator
tel.: (+359 331) 6 37 36

Address of the National Museum of Natural History – BAS

1000 Sofia
1, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

Telephone numbers
(+359 2) 988 51 15 – operator
(+359 2) 987 41 95 – office

Fax
(+359 2) 988 28 94

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 Work hours
For the scientific departments: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5 pm
For the exhibition: every day from 10 am to 6 pm, except on January 1, March 3
and December 25

Transportation to NMNH
subway – Serdika station
bus No. 9, 94, 280, 306 – St. Kliment Ohridski University station
trolley bus No. 9 – St. Alexandar Nevsky Square station
trolley bus No. 1, 2, 4, 11 – St. Kliment Ohridski University station
tram No. 20 – National Opera station
tram No. 1, 2, 7 – St. Nedelya Square station

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