Residents in Dupnitsa claimed to see a black panther, sparking a police investigation and online memes. The search continues for the elusive creature. A villager filmed a dark animal he believed to be the dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the site with police officers after the footage emerged. Police questioned the witness, whose video showed a large black animal moving through tall grass. Nachov said authorities have not decided whether to open an emergency search base. He added that the man compared the animal to a large dog.
Earlier Sightings and Expert Doubts
Dupnitsa lies 66 kilometres south of Sofia and over 430 kilometres west of Shumen plateau, where earlier sightings occurred. Authorities locked down that park for nearly two weeks during a search that began on 19 June. They launched the operation after a viral video and paw prints suggested a predator roamed the area. Officials called off the effort in mid-July after finding no evidence. Zoologist Dr. Stoyan Lazarov argued the paw prints came from a large dog. Professor Nikolay Spasov supported the claim, rejecting feline origins. Search teams set traps and deployed bait but found nothing. Georgi Krastev, director of Central Balkan National Park, said the animal’s movements appeared erratic. Rumours of multiple cats or a pregnant female were dismissed.
Big Cat Reports Across Europe
Europe has faced similar reports of loose big cats. In 2021, residents in Italy’s Bari province said they saw a panther, prompting public warnings. Slovakian authorities in 2022 cautioned locals after a tiger sighting near the border. The UK has also produced stories of panther sightings, though experts often dispute their authenticity.
