Large bear frightens residents near berry bog in Valka municipality
A large black bear has repeatedly visited homes in Saule, Valka municipality, causing damage and prompting a warning to berry and mushroom pickers near the nearby Pukšu bog.
Residents of the small settlement of Saule in Valka municipality are on edge after a large black bear repeatedly appeared near homes over the past few days. Local resident Solvita Mezīte shared the news on social media after the animal entered the yard of her large family's home on a Sunday morning.
According to her account, the bear had earlier visited a neighbor's beehives, knocking over the hives, and also approached a chicken enclosure, damaging a fence and part of the structure. The bear then wandered through the Mezīte family's yard, unsettling the family dog for a prolonged period, before heading off toward the forest across a fence and meadow.
Damage continued overnight
On Monday morning, residents discovered that about 200 meters from the house, the bear had completely torn apart the fabric roof covering of a garden swing chair overnight, though the chair's frame remained intact. Solvita suggested the animal may have returned after being chased away from the chicken coop and the dog the previous evening.
Warning for mushroom and berry pickers
September is when many people head to the nearby Pukšu bog to pick cranberries, and the surrounding forests are also rich in mushrooms. Given the bear's repeated visits close to the settlement, there is a chance that people in the forest or bog could encounter the animal. The homeowner noted that the bear does not appear to be deterred by human presence, having returned to inhabited areas despite the proximity of people and pets.
