The Nature Conservation Agency stated that monitoring brown bears is not a scientific experiment but a tool for ensuring the safety of residents. According to the agency, without regular studies, the state will not be able to legally make decisions about the shooting of dangerous animals.
After criticism regarding the 180,000 euro tender for monitoring brown bears, the Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) clarified the necessity of such research and how the funds will be spent.
The agency emphasizes that monitoring provides reliable data on the population and movements of bears, allows for the timely identification of potentially dangerous animals, and facilitates decisions that comply with European Union legislation.
According to Gita Strode, the director of the Nature Conservation Department, this is not about "research for the sake of research," but rather a tool directly related to human safety.
The brown bear is strictly protected in the European Union. Therefore, the state can issue a permit for the shooting of a specific animal only if there is scientific evidence that the population is in a favorable condition and there are no other ways to eliminate the threat.
This is why monitoring has both scientific and practical significance.
According to the NCA, in 2025, there were about 190 brown bears in Latvia. Their numbers are expected to continue to grow, and their range is gradually shifting from the east of the country towards Kurzeme.
In this regard, it is planned to expand the scope of observations over the next three years.
The purchase of 180,000 euros includes conducting field studies throughout Latvia, collecting DNA samples, genetic analysis, mapping animal movements, processing reports from residents, and spatial analysis of the collected data.
Currently, specialists conduct regular surveys in seven specially protected nature areas in Eastern Latvia, including the Teiču Nature Reserve and the "Lubāna Swamp" and "Stompaku Swamps" nature reserves, as well as in several areas outside these territories. In the new monitoring cycle, the observation network is planned to be expanded to Kurzeme for the first time.
Genetic analysis is of particular importance. Researchers collect hair, feces, and other biological samples, as well as use special traps for hair. This allows for the identification of individual bears, including those that regularly cause damage to beehives, farms, or pose a danger to people.
Reports from residents remain an important source of information. In 2025 alone, the NCA received 827 reports of encounters with bears, their tracks, hair, feces, or dens.
The agency compares biodiversity monitoring to regular medical check-ups: it helps understand how the state of nature is changing and provides a scientific basis for decisions in the field of environmental protection.
As previously reported, the NCA announced a tender for monitoring brown bears in 2026–2028 at a cost of 180,000 euros. Applications are accepted until August 21.
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