Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting a police investigation and sparking social media jokes. A resident filmed a dark animal he believes could be the dangerous feline, showing it moving through tall grass. Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming site with police to inspect the area. Authorities are questioning the witness who recorded the footage for Euronews. Nachov said police have not decided whether to open an emergency search headquarters. He added the witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa lies roughly 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau nature park, where the cat was first reported.
Previous Searches and Expert Analysis
Officials locked down Shumen plateau for nearly two weeks while searching for the alleged panther. The search began on 19 June after paw prints and a widely shared video raised fears of a predator. Authorities ended the operation in mid-July after finding no evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov suggested the paw print likely came from a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov supported this view, confirming the print showed no feline traits. Search teams set camera traps and baited stations but discovered no signs of the animal. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the creature’s movements as unpredictable and erratic. Officials also dismissed claims that multiple cats roamed the area or that a female carried cubs.
Big Cat Sightings Across Europe
In 2021, residents in Bari, Italy, claimed to see a panther, prompting authorities to warn the public to avoid rural areas. Slovakian officials urged caution in 2022 after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK has also reported several panther sightings in recent years, though experts questioned the accuracy of these reports.
