Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police to investigate and inspiring online jokes. A local resident filmed an animal he believed could be the dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming site with police officers to inspect the area. Authorities questioned the man who recorded footage showing a large black feline moving through tall grass. Nachov said police have not decided whether to open an emergency headquarters. The witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa sits about 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, more than 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau, where earlier sightings occurred.
Past Search Efforts and Expert Opinions
Authorities locked down Shumen plateau for almost two weeks while searching for the big cat. Officials started the search on 19 June after a viral video and paw prints raised fears of a predator. They ended the hunt in mid-July after finding no conclusive evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov argued the paw print belonged to a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov confirmed this assessment, stating the print had no feline characteristics. Teams deployed camera traps and baited stations but detected no physical traces or sightings. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the animal’s movements as erratic and unpredictable. Authorities also dismissed rumours of two panthers or a pregnant female with cubs.
European Big Cat Reports
In 2021, residents in Bari, Italy, spotted a panther, prompting officials to warn people to avoid rural areas. In 2022, Slovakian authorities urged caution after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK has reported multiple alleged panther sightings over recent years, though experts have questioned the accuracy of these claims.
