Abandoned orchard in Latvia may be one of the country's most bear-frequented spots

This autumn has proven unusually rich in apples, pears and plums across Latvia, and that abundance has become an easily accessible, energy-dense food source not only for people but also for wild animals. Fallen, overripe fruit is drawing forest creatures ever closer to human dwellings, including abandoned gardens where no one collects the harvest anymore.

One such place — an abandoned apple orchard described as possibly one of the most "bear-rich" locations in Latvia — showed tracks indicating visits from several forest animals, including a bear. Researchers who examined the site alongside a bear specialist found evidence that not only bears but also other woodland creatures, including predators, had come to feed on the fruit.

A DNA sample as evidence

During the visit, the bear researcher managed to collect a DNA sample from the animal, which could support further research into the species' distribution and population structure in Latvia. Findings like this help scientists better understand how bears and other large predators make use of resources near human settlements, particularly in autumn when animals feed intensively to prepare for winter dormancy.

An abundant autumn food supply is especially important for bears, as it helps them build up the fat reserves needed for a months-long period of hibernation. Abandoned fruit orchards, where no one harvests the crop, become natural feeding sites that can attract several animal species at once.