Persina Natural Park is situated along the whole length of Svishtovsko-Belenska lowland. Persina includes all Bulgarian Danubian islands in that part of the river. The natural park was established in 2000 and has an area of 21,762.20 hectares on the land of Dragish Voyvoda village, Nikopol municipality, Pleven region, Oresh village, Svishtov municipality, Veliko Tarnovo region. Water loving birds such as: sea eagle, geese, loons, herons, ducks, kingfishes, redshanks are living on the territory of the park, especially into the swamps, frequently flooded areas and the islands. There are more than 100 kinds of birds living in the area.
Some of the amphibian living there are: European spadefoot, Bombina bombina, common toad and Eastern spadefoot toad.
Among the reptiles living in the Persina natural park are: water snake, Balkan wall lizard (Podarcis taurica), forest lizard (Lacerta praticola), Eurasian sand boas (Eryx jaculus) and Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) in its Eastern parts.
There are three types of tortoises in the borders of the park. The mammals are presented by: dormice (Muscardinus avenallarius), mice, hamsters, wild-boars, deer, weasel (Mustela nivalis), wild cat, fox, otter (Lutra lutra), jackal, etc.
There are two reserves in Persina Natural Park: well-kept reserve Persina swamps and Kitka reserve.
There are more than 30 archaeological objects on the territory of the natural park that testify for the former presence of Thracian people and Romans.
Natural Park Persina
Persinski Blata (Persina Swamps) Reserve was established in 1981 and listed in higher category as well-kept reserve in 1999.Persinski Blata has an area of 385.20 hectares (with buffer zone of 551.8 hectares) and protects the place of living of the sailing birds and characteristic swamp vegetation. The reserve has been defined as important ornithological place. Persinski Blata is situated near the town of Belene, Pleven region.
Kitka Reserve preserves frequently flooded forest areas mainly from willows and white poplars. It was established in 1981 on an area of 25.40 hectares. The reserve is situated on the land of the town of Belene, Pleven region.
Milka Reserve was established in 1948 and its aim was to preserve the primary willow forests not far from Belene, Pleven region on an area of 30 hectares.
