The State Forest Service (VMD) acknowledged that in recent years, bears can be encountered more frequently in Latvia, and according to expert assessments, there are approximately 20–50 bears currently in the country. "It is expected that there will be more and more bears in Latvia, as until recently, the expansion of the bear population in a southerly direction has been purposefully encouraged in Estonia," the service stated.

Commenting on the concerns of beekeepers regarding the expansion of the brown bear population in Latvia and the state's stance not to limit their numbers even as damage to beehives increases, the VMD reiterated that the bear population falls under the jurisdiction of the Nature Conservation Agency, as the brown bear is a protected and non-game species in Latvia. The VMD can only recommend that beekeepers implement preventive protection measures for their apiaries.