News

A Bear Attacks a Man in a Forest Near Žīguri

On 15 March, a forester of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) upon inspecting a young spruce stand in Žīguri district, North Latgale region, suffered from a bear attack. A bear ran out of a nearby thicket, 4-5 meters away, and attacked the forester.

Seeing the bear approaching, the forester tried to run away, but fell. The bear grabbed the forester by his leg and bit, biting his boot, then ran back into the woods. It was probably a mother who protected her baby.

The LVM employee got to the car on his own and went to the nearest hospital, where he was given first aid.

“The bear has a very well-developed sense of smell and hearing, knows its surroundings perfectly. Bears are curious, but at the same time very cautious. If a person surprises a bear, the animal will get angry and run away. It is different though if it is a mother with babies. Then, as with other forest animals, the bear will protect its babies and it is definitely important not to approach her or the babies, but to leave slowly,” says Guntis Ščepaniks, Head of LVM Hunting Rights Leasing Process.

The number of bears in the wild in Latvia has increased over the past ten years. Last spring, their numbers were estimated at around 20 to 30 animals. Currently, their number is estimated at about 70 animals, and the breeding of bears in Latvia is not ruled out.