Vol. 75 (4) 2023

ARTICLES

First Documented Record of the Endangered Pine Marten Martes martes (L.) (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Lyulin Mtn., Bulgaria


Elitsa D. Popova1*, Steliyana G. Popova2, Plamen D. Petrov2, Atanas P. Grozdanov1, Petar R. Petrov1 & Diana P. Zlatanova1

Abstract
The European pine marten Martes martes, an endangered and protected species in Bulgaria, was registered with a camera trap outside its currently known distribution, in Lyulin Mtn., Western Bulgaria. The two new detections were at a relatively low altitude (902 m a.s.l.), within a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and common oak (Quercus robur L.) forest. The pine martens in Lyulin Mtn. might face poaching due to the external similarities to the sympatric stone marten (Martes foina Erxl.). Thus, a much more detailed study of the distribution of the species in Lyulin Mtn. is needed, which would aid in planning suitable and effective conservation measures.

Key words
new record, distribution, conservation

How to Cite
Popova E.D., Popova S.G., Petrov P.D., Grozdanov A.P., Petrov P.R. & Zlatanova D.P. 2023. First Documented Record of the Endangered Pine Marten Martes martes (L.) (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Lyulin Mtn., Bulgaria. Acta zoologica bulgarica 75 (4) 567-570.