Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police to investigate and sparking online memes. Residents continue searching for the elusive feline. A local man filmed what he believes could be the potentially dangerous animal, showing a large dark creature moving through tall grass.
Authorities Take Action and Experts Question Evidence
Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming site with police and inspected the area personally. Authorities questioned the witness who captured the footage for Euronews. Nachov explained police have not decided whether to establish an emergency search headquarters. The witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa sits about 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau nature park, where the cat appeared earlier.
Officials locked down Shumen plateau for nearly two weeks during a previous search starting on 19 June, triggered by paw prints and viral videos. They ended the operation in mid-July without conclusive results. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov claimed the paw prints belonged to a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov confirmed the print did not come from a feline. Despite camera traps, baited stations, and days of tracking, teams found no physical evidence. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the animal’s movements as erratic and unpredictable. Rumours suggesting two panthers or a pregnant female with cubs proved false.
Big Cat Sightings in Europe Continue
Residents in Bari, Italy, reported seeing a panther in 2021, prompting authorities to warn locals. Eastern Slovakian officials advised caution in 2022 after spotting a tiger near the border. The UK has also experienced multiple alleged panther sightings in recent years, although experts have frequently questioned the claims.
