Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Cloudy weather, rainfall expected in Bulgaria on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 11°C, in Sofia – 7°C.  During the day, it will be cloudy over most of the country. In the afternoon, rain will begin in Western Bulgaria, in the mountains above 2,000 meters - snow, and..

published on 10/16/25 7:25 PM

South Africa introduces visa-free regime for Bulgarians for stays of up to 90 days

The government of South Africa is introducing a visa-free regime for Bulgarian citizens holding ordinary passports for stays of up to 90 days , the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria announced on its Facebook page. “We express our gratitude to the..

published on 10/16/25 4:16 PM

Bulgaria to receive two F-16 Block 70 aircraft “very soon”, says Bulgarian Air Force commander

Two more F-16 Block 70 aircraft are expected to arrive in Bulgaria very soon. This was announced by the commander of the Air Force, Major General Nikolay Rusev, in front of journalists. So far, Bulgaria has received four F-16 Block 70 aircraft..

published on 10/16/25 3:00 PM