Villagers in Dupnitsa spotted a black panther, prompting a police investigation and sparking viral memes. Authorities continue searching for the elusive feline.
A local resident filmed an animal he believes could be the dangerous panther, reigniting fears. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the filming site with police officers. Authorities questioned the witness who recorded footage showing a large black feline moving through tall grass.
Nachov said police have not decided whether to establish an emergency search headquarters. He added that the witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa sits 66 kilometres south of Sofia and close to the Serbian border. The village lies more than 430 kilometres west of the Shumen plateau nature park, where the cat first appeared.
Failed Searches and Expert Assessments
Officials placed Shumen plateau on high alert and locked it down for nearly two weeks to track the big cat. Authorities started the search on 19 June after a viral video and paw prints fueled fears of a predator roaming free. They called off the search in mid-July without conclusive results.
Zoologists from the National Museum of Natural History doubted the sightings. Dr. Stoyan Lazarov argued the paw print likely belonged to a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov supported this view, confirming the print showed no feline characteristics.
Search teams used camera traps, baited stations, and tracking efforts but found no sightings or physical traces. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, said the animal moved in erratic and unpredictable patterns. Authorities also dismissed rumours claiming a pair of panthers existed or that a female carried cubs.
European Big Cat Reports
Europe has seen similar big cat reports in recent years. Residents in Bari, Italy, reported a panther in 2021, prompting authorities to warn the public. In 2022, officials in eastern Slovakia warned locals after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK also recorded multiple alleged panther sightings, though experts frequently questioned their authenticity.
