Judging by the nature of the damage, it is clear that two separate groups of bears are now visiting this area. One group consists of two teenage bears, who, judging by their behaviour, were likely orphaned at an early age and have not fully mastered the natural skills required to find food; consequently, they are searching for food scraps near human dwellings.

The second group consists of three bears – possibly a mother with sub-adult cubs, whom she is teaching foraging skills, including how to obtain honey from beehives. Near the Vijciems cone-drying facility, gardens, apiaries and farmsteads have been damaged in several locations, and the animals have even attempted to enter buildings, which indicates a real threat not only to infrastructure but also to local residents.

“This is no longer just playful bear cubs frolicking and feasting on plums, as was initially suggested in social media comments. The bears are raiding house yards, peering into windows, as evidenced by paw prints on the glass, scratching against walls and showing no fear of cars, terrifying and potentially endangering local residents.”