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Bulgaria’s north-eastern region of Shumen has been placed on high alert as authorities search for a wild predator said to be a black panther on the loose for the fifth day on Tuesday.
Residents of the nearby city of Shumen have been warned of potentially life-threatening danger, while authorities have restricted access to the eponymous national park, where fresh prints have been found as recently as Monday.
Traps and baits have been set to attempt to lure the predator, according to local media reports, while animal specialists are assisting authorities in their tracking efforts.
Experts in Buglaria believe that the most likely explanation for the black panther’s sighting is that the animal escaped from an illegal, private zoo, as authorities struggle to eliminate the ownership of exotic pets.
They have also warned that the animal is extremely dangerous and should not be underestimated, as it poses a significant threat. People are warned to steer clear of the area and if they see the animal, avoid sudden movements and retreat slowly.
Officials have added that the panther is not a distinct species and the predator in question is most likely a black leopard or black jaguar.
The animal is believed to have been living in the wild for weeks and is considered to be on the move, with the Stara Planina mountain range reaching as far as the border with neighbouring Serbia.
It is not the first time a big cat has been reported to be on the loose in Europe. Residents reported seeing a panther around the Italian province of Bari in 2021, leading authorities to warn the public to avoid the countryside.
Authorities in eastern Slovakia also urged residents to exercise caution after a tiger was spotted in an area near the border in 2022.
There have also been several stories in the UK concerning rumoured sightings of panthers roaming the countryside in recent years, though some experts have disputed the veracity of these claims.
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