Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police investigations and social media jokes. A local resident filmed an animal he believed could be a dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming location with police to assess the scene. Authorities questioned the man who recorded the footage showing a large dark animal moving through tall grass. Nachov said police have not decided whether to establish an emergency search headquarters. The witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa lies about 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, more than 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau nature park.
Previous Searches and Expert Analysis
Authorities locked down Shumen plateau for nearly two weeks to locate the cat, starting a search on 19 June. They called off the search in mid-July after finding no conclusive evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov suggested the paw print likely belonged to a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov confirmed this view, stating the print showed no feline characteristics. Search teams deployed camera traps and bait stations but discovered no sightings or physical traces. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, said the animal moved unpredictably and irregularly. Authorities dismissed rumours about multiple cats or a pregnant female with cubs.
Big Cat Sightings Across Europe
Residents in Bari, Italy, reported seeing a panther in 2021, prompting officials to warn the public. In 2022, authorities in eastern Slovakia warned locals after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK also reported several panther sightings in recent years, though experts questioned the claims’ accuracy.
