Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police investigations and sparking online jokes. A resident filmed a large dark animal he believes to be the dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the filming site with police officers and shared details with local media. Authorities are questioning the witness who recorded the footage showing the animal moving through tall grass. Nachov said police have not yet decided whether to establish an emergency search headquarters. The witness compared the creature to a large dog. Dupnitsa lies 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau nature park.
Previous Searches and Expert Analysis
Officials locked down Shumen plateau for almost two weeks while searching for the big cat. The search started on 19 June after a viral video and paw prints sparked fears of a predator roaming freely. Authorities called off the search in mid-July after failing to find concrete evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov argued the paw prints likely came from a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov supported this claim, confirming the prints did not belong to a feline. Teams set camera traps and bait stations, but found no traces. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the animal’s movements as erratic and unpredictable. Authorities dismissed rumours of multiple cats or a pregnant female with cubs.
Big Cat Reports Across Europe
In 2021, residents near Bari, Italy, reported a panther, prompting officials to warn the public to avoid rural areas. Slovakian authorities advised caution in 2022 after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK also recorded repeated alleged panther sightings, though experts often disputed their authenticity. Europe has seen multiple big cat reports, but experts consistently question their validity.
