Puma sightings in Poland prompt forest closure warning

Authorities in Poland's Polanów municipality have issued a warning for residents to stay out of forests surrounding Karsinki and Rekowo after a puma was sighted in the area. The alert was triggered by a hunter who encountered the wild cat twice, reporting that it did not react to loud noises or even a warning shot.

“

Najpierw zauważył ją, gdy szedł na polowanie, gdy było jeszcze widno. Hałasował, krzyczał, by zwierzę odeszło, ale nie reagowało. Oddał strzał ostrzegawczy i dopiero wtedy zareagowało, ale z dużym opóźnieniem i też bez oczekiwanego rezultatu. Nie uciekło, zrobiło parę kroków w bok. To może oznaczać, że puma jest już starsza, przygłucha.

Maciej Wiórek of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Szczecinek described the hunter's encounters. The animal was first spotted during daylight while the hunter was on his way to hunt. It failed to retreat when he made noise. Later, during the night, it approached the hunter's observation post. Wiórek suggested the animal might be older and hard of hearing, given its unusual behavior.

The hunter provided recordings and the exact location of the sightings to forest rangers, who then informed the municipal office. The quality of the recordings left no doubt that the animal was a puma. A municipal crisis team has been formed to swiftly locate and capture the predator. Residents are urged to call emergency numbers if they spot the animal.

“

prosi o niewchodzenie do lasu w okolicach Karsinki i Rekowa oraz na tereny przyległe.

Specialized animal control services have been contracted, and initial capture attempts have been made without success. The municipality has also alerted neighboring areas, as the sightings occurred near the border of Polanów and Bobolice communes. Forest authorities are deploying camera traps and patrols to monitor the area, emphasizing the need for public safety during the berry-picking season when many people frequent the forests.

“

My ten teren znamy najlepiej. A w lasach jest teraz dużo ludzi, to widać po parkingach leśnych, trwa sezon na jagody. My też mamy w lesie swoich pracowników i zależy nam na ich bezpieczeństwie