site.btaTraces Prove Loose Feline Predator Has Inhabited Shumen Plateau Nature Park for Weeks

The large predator searched in the Shumen Plateau Nature Park has developed habits on the territory, Central Balkan National Park Director Georgi Krastev said at a briefing at the Shumen Regional Administration on Sunday. "This did not happen within two or three days. We found traces that prove its presence for several weeks," he added.

Krastev explained that the animal had settled there and was not acting like it came out of a cage a few days ago. Its habits are now those of a wild animal.

He noted that the animal hunts from ambush and attacks without the victim realizing. He further said that the predator feeds within the park and animal remains have been found. There are fresh tracks, Krustev added. He also said that photo traps have been set up along the route the animal is taking.

Krastev appealed to citizens to take what is happening seriously and stressed that time is needed to catch the animal. “Its paw is the size of my hand, it is just a matter of time to find out exactly which species it is and get a picture of it too,” he added.