Raising dangerous predators as pets has become fashionable in our country in recent years. Especially for people with enviable financial means. By law, this is absolutely prohibited, but fines of 1,000 to 3,000 leva do not scare violators. Wildlife experts say that it is possible that the wanted black panther may change its location. And they warn that while it is free, it poses a real danger to both people and other animals in the region.
Krustyo Dabov knows the character of black panthers well. He raises two of them at the Burgas Zoo. He says that they are the smartest among predatory cats and can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. There is a version of the case near Shumen, BNT pointed out.
Krastyo Dabov, a wildlife specialist and manager of the Burgas Zoo: “The first version is that the animal escaped from its owner, who is definitely not a zoo. The second version is that the animal passed and overtook the Stara Planina. You know, it is large, it is absolutely impossible to locate this animal there.”
According to Yavor Gechev, it is also possible that the predator migrates.
Yavor Gechev, an animal protection activist: “These are animals that are used to migrating, they are used to traveling long kilometers in search of prey and shelters. So, it may not be in the place where it is being sought at all.”
The black panther is extremely dangerous, and its actions are often unpredictable.
Krustyo Dabov, wildlife specialist and manager of the Burgas Zoo: “It kills not only when it is hungry, but also when it decides to for pleasure. This is not an animal that will stand somewhere to be taxidermied with anesthesia. This is an animal that can be 4 or 5 meters high in the branches of trees, it can be lying in a bush and surprise a commando armed to the teeth.”
Krustyo Dabov adds that in zoos, animals are anesthetized with rifles of a maximum of 15-20 meters. And it takes at least 5 minutes for the anesthetic to take effect.
Krustyo Dabov, wildlife specialist and manager of the Burgas Zoo: "Imagine the shooter who has anesthetized the animal, how the animal will react in those five minutes and where he will be if he is 15 meters away from it.”
Therefore, he advises that only trained specialists participate in the search.