Environmental Massacre in Llogara: 22 Horses Shot in Mysterious Attack Amid Rising Regional Tensions

 In what many are calling an environmental massacre, a shocking and unprecedented event has unfolded in the Llogara area of southern Albania, near the site known as “Gropat e Pirit.” Twenty-two horses have been brutally attacked with hunting rifles, in what appears to be a deliberate and coordinated act of cruelty against defenseless animals.

Images secured by Euronews Albania reveal horrifying wounds on the animals’ bodies, caused by shotgun pellets. According to local residents and animal rights activists, four horses died instantly, several others were severely injured and are in urgent need of veterinary treatment, while the remaining animals have fled into the forests of the Karaburun peninsula and have yet to be located.

Initial suspicions from sources on the ground suggest the attack may have been carried out by illegal hunters or individuals involved in local disputes over tourism routes and guiding businesses. However, police have not yet confirmed any suspects, and this line of investigation remains open.

But the context surrounding the event has led many to question whether this is merely a case of local conflict — or something more sinister.

Activists and citizens alike are beginning to raise alarm over the increasing number of strange, seemingly coordinated incidents occurring across the country in recent months. In light of these patterns, some are not ruling out the possibility of foreign intelligence services being involved — potentially from countries like Greece, Serbia, or Russia — all of which have had historical and geopolitical interests in destabilizing Albania and the broader Albanian region.

Whether this act of violence against animals was meant to send a message, intimidate local communities, or simply create chaos and fear, remains unclear. But the scale, precision, and brutality of the act suggest more than just random hunting or local rivalry.

Animal rights activists are now demanding strict legal measures to prevent such barbaric acts from ever happening again. Meanwhile, the Department for Criminal Investigations at the Orikum Police Station has submitted materials to the Prosecutor’s Office and is reportedly working intensely to identify the perpetrators and fully document the event.

According to police statements, the initial report was made by a local resident, identified as K.K. from Orikum, who informed authorities that two of his free-roaming horses on Mount Llogara had suffered injuries suspected to be from firearms.

This attack strikes at the heart of Albania’s natural heritage, tourism industry, and animal welfare standards — and possibly at its national security. If indeed this event is connected to a broader strategy of foreign interference or hybrid destabilization, the consequences could be grave. At the very least, it demands immediate, transparent investigation at the highest levels and an uncompromising stance against those who would destroy life and harmony for political or economic gain.

The Llogara massacre is not just a crime against animals. It may be a warning — one the country cannot afford to ignore.