For Immediate Release: Sofia, 21 October 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n A report filed by CAAI concerning two raccoons kept in an extremely cramped and filthy cage prompted an inspection that uncovered a total of 25 animals at a restaurant in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 18 September. The inspection was carried out by the Sofia Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW \u2013 Sofia), Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Sofia\u2019s Sixth District Police Department, and Sofia Zoo.<\/p>\n In May, CAAI received information about the two raccoons and discovered a video showing the animals confined in a cramped wire cage contaminated with faeces.<\/strong> Their food containers were overturned and empty, while the raccoons could be seen repeatedly attempting to escape. CAAI immediately preserved the video and information about the social media accounts on which it had been posted and filed a report with the General Directorate National Police.<\/p>\n The subsequent inspection uncovered another 23 animals: four spectacled caimans, 16 turtles, two African grey parrots, and one green iguana.<\/strong> CAAI later established with certainty that some of the animals had been kept at the establishment for at least four years.<\/p>\n In addition to concerns about the inhumane treatment of the animals and the conditions in which they were being kept, the case also raises a serious environmental issue. Raccoons (<\/strong>Procyon lotor<\/strong><\/em>) are an invasive alien species in the European Union and pose a threat to native biodiversity if released into the wild.<\/strong> A number of European countries are already dealing with established raccoon populations following the species\u2019 release or escape into the wild. Keeping raccoons is prohibited under EU legislation and constitutes an administrative offence, except in specifically provided-for circumstances subject to special authorisation. The two raccoons were confiscated and transferred to Sofia Zoo.<\/p>\n At the time of the inspection, the required documentation for the remaining animals had not been provided. RIEW \u2013 Sofia gave the responsible parties until 9 October to submit the necessary documents.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we saw the video of the raccoons, we were appalled by the cruel conditions in which they were being kept. We were also deeply concerned because we are aware of how invasive raccoons are and of the threat they pose to native biodiversity if they enter the wild.<\/em><\/p>\n We immediately preserved the evidence and filed a report with the General Directorate National Police. It was this report that led to the discovery of the other animals. <\/em>We are concerned that the conditions in which the animals were kept may have caused injuries or lasting harm to all of the animals found.<\/em><\/strong> We urge the competent authorities to examine the health and welfare of all the animals, rather than limiting their checks to documentation,\u201d said Petya Altimirska of CAAI.<\/em><\/p>\n CAAI would like to thank the Environmental and Wildlife Crime Unit of the General Directorate National Police, RIEW \u2013 Sofia, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Sofia\u2019s Sixth District Police Department, the Haskovo District Police Department, Sofia Zoo, and the Prosecutor\u2019s Office for their work on the case.<\/p>\n Additional information:<\/strong><\/p>\n Video showing the raccoons being kept illegally and in poor conditions:<\/strong> Photos from RIEW \u2013 Sofia:<\/strong> Instagram post<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A post shared by \u041a\u0410\u0416\u0418 (@caai.bg)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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