Villagers in Dupnitsa claimed they saw a black panther, prompting a police investigation and sparking social media jokes. A local resident filmed an animal he believed to be the dangerous feline, showing a large black shape moving through tall grass. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the filming location alongside police officers. Authorities questioned the man who recorded the footage, which Euronews later shared. Nachov said police have not decided whether to set up an emergency search headquarters. He added that the witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa lies 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres from the Shumen plateau nature park where previous sightings occurred.
Past Searches and Expert Opinions
Officials locked down the Shumen plateau for nearly two weeks to search for the cat. Authorities began the search on 19 June after paw prints and a viral video raised fears of a predator. They ended the operation in mid-July without conclusive results. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov claimed the paw print likely belonged to a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov confirmed this view, saying the print showed no feline traits. Search teams deployed camera traps and baited stations but recorded no sightings or physical evidence. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the animal’s movements as erratic and unpredictable. Authorities also dismissed rumours about a female panther with cubs or a pair of cats roaming the area.
Other European Big Cat Reports
Italy reported a panther near Bari in 2021, prompting officials to warn the public to avoid rural areas. Eastern Slovakia authorities advised caution in 2022 after spotting a tiger near the border. The UK has also reported several alleged panther sightings in recent years, although experts questioned their authenticity.
