The Nature Conservation Agency launches the “Don’t Extinguish a Life!” campaign about wild animal young

The Nature Conservation Agency (the Agency) is launching the “Don’t Extinguish a Life!” information campaign to protect wild animals. The campaign will inform the public about the consequences of, and the most appropriate action to take when encountering, wild animal young in nature.The campaign will place particular emphasis on reminding people to treat wild animals with respect, in order to prevent situations in which wild animals accustomed to humans are abandoned or released back into the wild, posing a threat to society, themselves, populated areas or public infrastructure.

“A wild animal young raised by humans becomes accustomed to having people nearby and to being fed, and therefore neither knows how nor tries to find food as its wild counterparts do. However, people must realise that a wild animal will never become a domestic pet. As a result, an animal is raised that is suited neither to the wild nor to captivity,” explains Inta Lange, head of the Ligatne Nature Trails.

Through this campaign, the Agency will therefore promote understanding of the correct course of action when encountering wild animal young in nature, such as foxes, bears, lynxes, birds, roe deer, hares and others. Experts will also explain the potential consequences of ill-considered or intolerant actions.

A survey commissioned by the Agency and conducted by SKDS found that just under half (44%) of respondents in Latvia have encountered wild mammal young. Inta Lange emphasises: “The most common wild mammal species encountered in Latvia are moose, deer, foxes and roe deer. At the same time, we regularly receive reports of encounters with hedgehogs, hares, as well as owls and squirrels, because these animals live close to people. Animals must not be fed or photographed with, because they will become accustomed to food and attention and will no longer be able to survive on their own. The situation involving the bear cubs in Gulbene is evidence of this.”

To read the material containing information on what to do when encountering wild animals, the Agency invites you to visit www.neizdzesdzivibu.lv.

The Agency also urges every resident of Latvia, wherever possible, to avoid disturbing wild animals and their young. However, if an animal is in a helpless state—for example, if it is injured, trapped somewhere, or found in an unusual environment displaying agitated behaviour—people should contact the State Fire and Rescue Service, which will help the animal return to its usual environment.

The aim of the “Don’t Extinguish a Life!” information campaign is to promote public understanding and appropriate action when encountering wild animal young in nature. This campaign, or project, “I Am from the Wild. I Want to Live Free!”, is being implemented with financial support from the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund (Project No. 1-08/30/2022).