Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, sparking police action and online jokes. A resident filmed an animal he believed could be a dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming site with police and examined the location personally. Authorities questioned the man who recorded footage showing a large dark animal moving through tall grass. Nachov said police have not yet decided whether to set up an emergency search headquarters. The witness described the creature as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa lies about 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau nature park, where officials first spotted the animal.
Previous Searches and Expert Investigations
Officials locked down Shumen plateau for almost two weeks while searching for the cat. They began the search on 19 June after a viral video and paw prints sparked fears of a dangerous predator. Authorities called off the search in mid-July after finding no conclusive evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov argued that the paw print likely came from a large dog, not a feline. Professor Nikolay Spasov confirmed this conclusion and rejected the idea of feline origins. Teams tracked the area, set camera traps, and baited stations but found no signs of the animal. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the creature’s movements as erratic and unpredictable. Rumours about multiple panthers or a pregnant female with cubs appeared but officials dismissed them.
Big Cat Reports Across Europe
Residents in Bari, Italy, reported a panther in 2021, prompting officials to warn locals to avoid rural areas. Authorities in eastern Slovakia advised caution in 2022 after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK has also seen several alleged panther sightings in recent years, though experts frequently questioned these claims.
