Study supported by the Nature Conservation Agency
Main tasks of study:
- Inventory of brown bear activity (footprints) in 2023, 2024 and 2025 in seven Natura 2000 sites – nature reserves "Ziemeļu purvi", "Lubāna mitrājs", "Stompaku purvi" and "Lielais Pelečāres purvs", nature parks "Vecumu meži" and "Kuja", Teiči nature reserve; and five non-Natura 2000 sites where bears have been observed within the last three years.
- Monitoring by molecular genetics in 2023, 2024 and 2025 in accordance with the methods provided in the "Recommendations for monitoring improvement of the Brown Bear population in Latvia by molecular genetics":
2.1. installation of five hair traps every year in the territory where the highest density of bears has been established in previous years. Inspection of hair traps in spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) period accordance with the procedure specified in the Recommendations. Deploying a network of trap cameras in the area – at least 10 trap cameras – a half of them must be related to the hair traps sites;
2.2. annual inspection of five old apple orchards in the territory of seven Natura 2000 sites or nearby and five non-Natura 2000 sites where bears have been observed within the last three years during fruit harvest season;
2.3. deploying trap cameras (up to 5) in one of the apple orchards surveyed in Natura 2000 areas or nearby, where samples containing genetic material have been collected and an individual has been successfully genetically identified. Priority territory – Teiči nature reserve;
2.4. annual inspection of apiary damage sites (according to the received reports) and collection of samples containing bear DNA;
2.5. analysis of samples containing DNA collected each year by molecular genetic methods in accordance with the method specified in the Recommendations; creation and supplementation of the brown bear DNA database; - Organization of training seminars (in 2023, 2024, 2025) for general public who due to the specifics of their professional activities have opportunity to find evidence of the brown bear activity (footprints, samples containing brown bear genetic material). Target audience – employees of the Nature Protection Agency, hunters, forest workers, beekeepers, border guards.
- Preparation of annual reports, summarizing collected data and interpreting them in comparison with the research data of previous years.
- Evaluation of the information (until 4.2025) included in the standard data forms of Natura 2000 areas and update the population assessment and ecological information about the brown bear Ursus arctos.
- Preparation and update of the sections of the European Commission's report on the brown bear Ursus arctos and its status in Latvia (2019–2024), which is determined by the Council of Europe Directive 92/43/EEC, according to the European Commission guidelines and explanations.