Nature Conservation Agency agreement No. 7.7/158/2020
Main tasks:
- Inventory of brown bear activity (footprints) in 2020, 2021 and 2022 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 three non-Natura 2000 sites where bears have been observed within the last three years.
- Monitoring by molecular genetics in 2020, 2021 and 2022 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 six hair traps every year in the territory where the highest density of bears has been established in previous years. Inspection of hair traps in accordance with the procedure specified in the Recommendations;
2.2. annual inspection of five old apple orchards in the territory of seven Natura 2000 sites or nearby during fruit harvest season;
2.3. annual inspection of apiary damage sites (according to the received reports) and collection of samples containing bear DNA;
2.4. 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;
2.5. in 2020, preparation of the methodology to be integrated into the Biodiversity Monitoring Program for the monitoring of Natura 2000 sites and monitoring of the brown bear. - Organization of training seminars (in 2020, 2021, 2022) 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.