As encounters with brown bears in Latvia become more frequent — especially in Northern Vidzeme — the question of how people can safely and wisely coexist with this protected species in Latvia is gaining increasing importance.
On 19th September 2025, the Vidzeme Planning Region organized a citizen engagement event in Kārķi, bringing together experts from the Nature Conservation Agency, the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, and the Environmental Board of Estonia (Keskkonnaamet) – Latvia’s closest neighbours, where the brown bear population is almost six times larger.
The event attracted a broad audience, including residents, beekeepers, hunters, municipal representatives, and nature enthusiasts — all united by a shared interest in understanding how to balance human safety, rural livelihoods, and the conservation of large carnivores.
The discussion focused on practical aspects such as how to avoid or respond to encounters with bears, how to prevent bears from approaching farms and beehives, and the role of scientific monitoring in shaping informed wildlife management decisions.
The event was inspired by insights gained during a study visit to Slovenia, where the Vidzeme Planning Region team learned from successful examples of coexistence with large carnivores. These experiences highlighted how thoughtful dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and local participation can help mitigate conflicts and promote mutual understanding between people and wildlife.
