Authorities in West Pomerania have issued a warning after a forest worker reported a close encounter with a suspected puma in Strachomino, which was also captured by trail cameras.
Wild Cat in Strachomino
The animal appeared on the grounds of the forest complex in the village of Strachomino (Będzino commune, West Pomeranian Voivodeship) as well as in the Warnie Bagno nature reserve. A trail camera captured the image late last year. Local authorities suspect it was a puma, a predator naturally found in the Americas.
Forest Worker Reports Encounter
Renata Łuczak, the Village Head of Strachomino, received information about the animal from a forest worker who noticed it. “He was at work and it simply jumped right in front of his face, his mask (…). It was beautiful and the impression was truly incredible,” Łuczak said, quoted by TVP3 Szczecin.
Będzino Commune Warns Residents
The matter was reported to the Będzino commune, which appealed to residents to exercise particular caution, avoid entering forest areas, and refrain from letting domestic animals out unsupervised. “We decided to convey this information to residents primarily to ensure safety and avoid causing panic. Wolves have also appeared in our forests recently, so we must maintain this caution,” Sylwia Halama, the Wójt of Będzino commune, told TVP3 Szczecin.
Search for the Puma in West Pomerania
Illegal wild animal breeding farms appear in Poland. Bartłomiej Troczyński from the Gościno Forest District suggested that the animal seen in Strachomino could have escaped from such a farm or been released into the natural environment. Local firefighters intend to find the animal using a drone and a thermal imaging camera during the search.
