CBNPD officers detained a poacher in the Sokolna reserve after an operation
01 August 2025
Due to violations and increased reports of poaching in the area of the Sokolna hut, on the orders of Georgi Krastev, Director of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate (CBNPD), measures have been taken in the area for daily patrolling and surveillance by park guards. Camera traps have been set up in order to identify and capture the offender.
On July 30, a joint operation was carried out around the Sokolna hut and in the territory of the Sokolna reserve with the participation of employees of the Park Directorate and the State Hunting Enterprise (SHE) Mazalat.
At 06:18 on the same day, a photo from a camera trap was received, which clearly shows how the hut keeper of the Sokolna hut, with the initials S.N.H., is carrying a long-barreled weapon with an optical device. The officers headed to the place from which the signal was received. Looking around the area with binoculars, they also noticed him.
Director Krastev immediately reorganized the people he was with in the area, and several different teams moved through the rugged terrain of "Sokolna" towards the noticed offender. Additional officers from the Park's security were also involved and hours later S.N.H. was captured in the area of the hut he manages.
Officers from the Regional Departments of the Ministry of Interior - Kazanlak and Pavel Banya - were alerted and arrived on the scene. In the "Sokolna" hut, one long-barreled hunting weapon - homemade, 21 hunting cartridges for it, one short-barreled firearm, one gas pistol, two fishing rods, fishing bait and two red deer trophies were found. Two knives, ammunition for hunting weapons and large plastic bags were found in the offender's backpack.
As a result, the offender was detained by the Ministry of Interior authorities for 24 hours and pre-trial proceedings were initiated against him. The hut is sealed.
Until late at night and the next day, park officials conducted a thorough search of the area. A suppressor and more ammunition for short and long rifles were found. The search of the terrain continues.
The Directorate of the Central Balkan National Park expresses its gratitude to the employees of the State Hunting Enterprise Mazalat and the Ministry of Interior for their quick response and assistance.
To all employees of the Control and Security - South and Control and Security - North departments of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate, who actively and devotedly participated in the entire exhausting process of capturing the offender and searching for traces of a poaching act in the difficult and rugged terrain of the Sokolna Reserve - we thank you!
On July 30, a joint operation was carried out around the Sokolna hut and in the territory of the Sokolna reserve with the participation of employees of the Park Directorate and the State Hunting Enterprise (SHE) Mazalat.
At 06:18 on the same day, a photo from a camera trap was received, which clearly shows how the hut keeper of the Sokolna hut, with the initials S.N.H., is carrying a long-barreled weapon with an optical device. The officers headed to the place from which the signal was received. Looking around the area with binoculars, they also noticed him.
Director Krastev immediately reorganized the people he was with in the area, and several different teams moved through the rugged terrain of "Sokolna" towards the noticed offender. Additional officers from the Park's security were also involved and hours later S.N.H. was captured in the area of the hut he manages.
Officers from the Regional Departments of the Ministry of Interior - Kazanlak and Pavel Banya - were alerted and arrived on the scene. In the "Sokolna" hut, one long-barreled hunting weapon - homemade, 21 hunting cartridges for it, one short-barreled firearm, one gas pistol, two fishing rods, fishing bait and two red deer trophies were found. Two knives, ammunition for hunting weapons and large plastic bags were found in the offender's backpack.
As a result, the offender was detained by the Ministry of Interior authorities for 24 hours and pre-trial proceedings were initiated against him. The hut is sealed.
Until late at night and the next day, park officials conducted a thorough search of the area. A suppressor and more ammunition for short and long rifles were found. The search of the terrain continues.
The Directorate of the Central Balkan National Park expresses its gratitude to the employees of the State Hunting Enterprise Mazalat and the Ministry of Interior for their quick response and assistance.
To all employees of the Control and Security - South and Control and Security - North departments of the Central Balkan National Park Directorate, who actively and devotedly participated in the entire exhausting process of capturing the offender and searching for traces of a poaching act in the difficult and rugged terrain of the Sokolna Reserve - we thank you!
