Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting a police investigation and social media memes. A local resident filmed an animal he believed could be the dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the filming site with police officers. Authorities questioned the witness who recorded footage showing a large black animal moving through tall grass. Nachov stated police have not decided whether to open an emergency search headquarters. The witness compared the animal to a large dog. Dupnitsa lies about 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau nature park, where earlier sightings occurred.
Past Searches and Expert Analysis
Officials locked down Shumen plateau for nearly two weeks during a search that started on 19 June after paw prints and a viral video sparked fears. Authorities called off the hunt in mid-July after finding no clear evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov said the paw print likely came from a large dog, not a cat. Professor Nikolay Spasov confirmed this view, noting the print showed no feline characteristics. Teams set up camera traps and baited stations but collected no physical traces. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, described the animal’s movements as erratic and unpredictable. Rumours of multiple panthers or a pregnant female with cubs circulated but authorities dismissed them.
European Big Cat Sightings
In 2021, residents in Bari, Italy, reported seeing a panther, prompting authorities to warn locals to avoid rural areas. Officials in eastern Slovakia cautioned residents in 2022 after a tiger appeared near the border. The UK also recorded several alleged panther sightings, though experts frequently challenged their authenticity.
