A search operation is underway at the Poznań zoo following the disappearance of Bożenka, a female manul. The facility's management has alerted the public, suggesting the animal did not escape on its own but may have been deliberately released by third parties. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant, emphasizing that while the animal looks like a domestic cat, it remains a wild predator requiring specialized care.

Suspicion of Deliberate Release

The zoo management suggests the enclosure's security was breached by third parties with the intent to release the manul.

Bożenka's Distinctive Features

The missing female is missing her left eye, a key feature that makes her easier for residents to identify.

Call for Caution

Despite its fluffy appearance, the manul is a wild cat that may behave aggressively when feeling threatened.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, staff at the New Zoo in Poznań made a disturbing discovery during their morning rounds. The enclosure inhabited by Bożenka, an older female manul, was empty. Initial inspections of the cage and surroundings led zoo authorities to conclude there had been tampering with the security measures. Zoo representatives are openly discussing a scenario in which an unauthorized person opened the enclosure, releasing the animal into the city. Such an action is considered extremely irresponsible, as manuls, despite their fluffy appearance, are predators with specific health needs. Bożenka is a special individual—she is missing her left eye, which makes her easy to identify. Manuls are naturally adapted to harsh steppe conditions, but life in an urban environment poses a mortal threat to them. The animal is skittish and is likely hiding in dense bushes or under infrastructure elements near Lake Malta. The zoo emphasizes that Bożenka requires constant medical care, and the lack of it in the longer term could lead to a deterioration of the individual's health. Manuls are considered one of the most secretive and stress-prone wild cats. In captivity, this species often contracts toxoplasmosis, making any change in diet or environment critically risky for them. Currently, the police and municipal guards are cooperating with zoo staff to locate the escapee. Surveillance footage is being analyzed, which may help identify the person responsible for opening the cage. Authorities warn against trying to catch the animal on one's own, as a stressed manul can bite or scratch severely. Any information about the animal's location should be reported immediately to zoo staff or the emergency number 112.