Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Chinese pond mussel infestation of the Danube in Rousse

Photo: BGNES

The huge mussels, reaching 22 to 26 cms. in size which appeared along the bank of the Danube in Rousse about a fortnight ago, have been proved to be an invasive mussel species from China, Radio Varna reports.

Biodiversity and ecosystems experts from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences say they are Chinese pond mussels. They were first spotted in the Danube in 2005 but since then, the population of the species has exploded.

The Chinese pond mussels are not a direct threat to the other animal species but they do attack their direct Bulgarian rivals – two species of pond mussels – by reducing their feed resources. The invasion was first noticed in the first half of August when the temperature of the water rose. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Low emission zone put in place in Sofia as of 1 December

As of 1 December until the end of February, driving an old car in the centre of Sofia will be subject to a EUR 25-100 fine. The fines for legal entities will be 10 times higher – from EUR 500 to EUR 1,000. The low emission zone was put in place..

published on 11/29/24 10:25 AM
Ivaylo Mirchev

Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria: We look ridiculous in people’s eyes

The due date for preventing the prospect of Borislav Sarafov taking the position of prosecutor general is drawing close, as is the deadline for coordinating the budget, Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria said in an interview with public service..

published on 11/29/24 9:17 AM

85% of witnesses of street harassment do not know how to intervene

A campaign against street violence named Stand Up will be held today and tomorrow under the dome of Sofia's Largo, said the Regional History Museum – Sofia. It turns out that over 80% of women worldwide have experienced some form of street..

published on 11/29/24 6:05 AM