Shumen, Bulgaria — Restaurateurs and hoteliers operating in the Shumen Plateau natural park have called for state compensation after their businesses suffered serious losses following a police operation to locate a suspected black panther in the area.
The disruption began on June 20, when police cordoned off large parts of the park following multiple reported sightings of a predator.
The animal, believed to be a black panther, prompted authorities to impose a full visitor ban and tighten access across the region, severely impacting local tourism-dependent businesses.
Yuliy Dimitrov, a local entrepreneur who manages a tourism complex on the plateau, told Nova TV that the situation unfolded without warning. “We found out what was happening through the media,” Dimitrov said.
“There are five of us operating tourism sites here, and no one informed us or gave us any guidance — even though we also run hotels and restaurants.”
The unexpected lockdown led to widespread confusion and concern for guest safety. Staff at affected sites were forced to advise visitors to remain indoors, while several major events, including weddings, were thrown into uncertainty.
“There were a lot of nervous phone calls from guests,” Dimitrov explained. “Some people had already paid in full and were worried about insurance claims. We’re grateful that local authorities ultimately allowed the events to continue, but the disruption had already taken a toll.”
According to Dimitrov, approximately 50 families rely on the tourist trade in the Shumen Plateau for their income. He noted that the area’s economic model is already fragile due to its dependence on seasonal visitors.
“When it rains, people don’t come up here,” he said. “So losing days during the peak summer period because of something like this is a serious blow.”
Entrepreneurs across the region are now demanding that the Bulgarian state compensate them for the lost revenue and disruptions, arguing that the closure was imposed without consultation or contingency planning.
There has been no official confirmation yet on whether the elusive animal was captured or confirmed to be a black panther. However, police have since eased restrictions, allowing businesses to resume operations.
Local business owners remain concerned that the incident may discourage future visitors and have called for a clearer communication protocol in the event of similar emergencies.
“We understand the importance of safety,” Dimitrov said, “but this should never have happened without involving those of us who live and work here.”