An unexpected guest from the wild has once again put the residents of Northeastern Bulgaria on alert.
After the mysterious black leopard became a hot topic in the region for days, it has now been spotted again. The latest report comes from the area of Tutrakan municipality, where the animal was seen in the locality between the villages of Bogdantsi and Tarnovtsi.
The worrying news prompted an immediate reaction from the authorities. By order of the regional governor of Silistra, Iliyan Velikov, a crisis headquarters was convened to coordinate the search and securing of the area. Its members include the mayor of Tutrakan, Commissioner Deyan Monev, and the director of the local forestry. The situation is being monitored with heightened attention, with the goal of guaranteeing the safety of the population.
Police teams have begun a thorough search of the terrain where the predator was spotted. The movement of the animal in this area raises concerns, which necessitates a quick and organized response. As part of the preventive measures, the mayors of the neighboring settlements, as well as the heads of the hunting associations in the region, were immediately informed. They have been instructed to be especially vigilant and report any suspicious movement.
The crisis headquarters isn't leaving things to chance and is informing the local population. Owners of small ruminants and people working in the agricultural sector have been notified of the danger. These warnings are of extreme importance, as their activities place them in potentially direct contact with the animal.
The regional crisis headquarters appeals to all residents and visitors of the region to be extremely careful. In their official statement, they urge that upon sighting a large animal from the cat family, to immediately signal it by calling 112. This appeal underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for citizens' cooperation to successfully locate the exotic animal. For now, it remains unclear how the black leopard ended up in Bulgarian nature and what its origin is, which further fuels curiosity and alarm in the region.