As previously reported by LSM, the person in question pursued a brown bear (Ursos arctos) down a forest lane at night, chuckling occasionally, as the startled creature ran ahead of the vehicle's headlights.
Thanks to the response of the public, the DAP has managed to find out the culprit and in cooperation with the State Police, administrative proceedings have been initiated for the application of a penalty for deliberately disturbing a protected species.
Pateicoties sabiedrības atsaucībai un sniegtajām ziņām, @dadaDAP sadarbībā ar Valsts policiju
— DAP (@dabaDAP) October 11, 2022
ir izdevies noskaidrot vainīgo par brūnā lāča ilgstošu trenkšanu https://t.co/89dTPtBhpm pic.twitter.com/KKnxtg125W
Although it was initially thought that the scene of the crime was near the border, it turned out that the bear was actually chased in the area of the Lubāna wetlands.
"We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who did not remain indifferent and reported the alleged violator or the location of the violation. I hope that such lessons will allow all of us as a society to become more appropriate and tolerant towards wild animals," said Gita Strode, director of the DAP, adding that "as a result of human economic activity, habitats for various wild species have already been significantly reduced. Therefore, not only intentional but also unintentional encounters with wild animals are inevitable. It is important for us to understand that the wild is the home of these animals, and intentionally disturbing them in their home is not permissible".
The miscreant faces a fine of up to 700 euros. According to current monitoring data, there are about 60 bears in the wild in Latvia.
