site.btaSearch for Loose Feline Predator near Shumen Continues

The search for a large feline predator on the loose near the northeastern city of Shumen continues, authorities on Saturday told a news briefing following a meeting of the emergency task force. The predator is believed to be roaming in the area of the Shumen Plateau Nature Park, near the Divdyadovo neighborhood.

Shumen Deputy Regional Governor Diyan Dimitrov, Regional Forestry Directorate chief Emil Gelov, and Georgi Krastev, Director of Central Balkan National Park, provided updates on the situation.

Krastev explained that most of the traps have already been set: “We still need to create blood trails in the area to attract the predator’s attention. We hope that by tonight, or tomorrow at the latest, we will have some results—at the very least, confirmation of whether the animal is still in the identified area. It’s only a matter of time before we determine if it remains in the vicinity and whether the traps will be effective. These traps work on all predators native to Bulgaria, although we have not used them on this particular species before, so we hope they will work.”

He also advised the public if encountering the animal to avoid sudden movements, back away slowly, and make noise to alert others. Afterward, a signal should be sent to authorities.

So far, no domestic animals have been harmed, and officials have decided against additional protective measures. “There have been no attacks on pets or livestock,” Krastev confirmed.

The perimeter around the rocky cliffs above Divdyadovo is under constant surveillance as the search operation continues.

Deputy Regional Governor Dimitrov said that he had spoken with the officers of the local police department in Shumen, who have alerted the prosecutor’s office and launched an investigation to identify the owner of the predator. “I have no information yet on what, if anything, has been established,” Dimitrov added.

The search perimeter for the animal is focused around the rocky ridge above the Divdyadovo neighborhood and covers approximately 100-200 hectares, according to Emil Gelov, Director of the Regional Forestry Directorate.

Gelov urged people from outside the region to cancel planned visits to Shumen Plateau Nature Park over the weekend, and strongly advised local residents to avoid hiking trails and stay out of the restricted area.

“It is especially important to keep the animal calm so it can be safely captured. If it feels threatened or stressed, our chances of success drop significantly,” Gelov emphasized.

Authorities also issued a public request for citizens not to fly drones in the protected perimeter around the Divdyadovo cliffs, as this could disturb or frighten the predator and interfere with the search operation.

The situation continues to be monitored closely by local and national agencies, with specialized traps set and the area under constant surveillance.