ĶNP is a territory where humans and animals co-exist. It is not far from Riga but at the same time is rich in forests, bogs and meadows. Throughout the year we can see plenty of animals of all sorts here – big and small, running and jumping, crawling and flying. Animals’ presence is especially visible in winter when they leave tracks, allowing us to see who inhabits this territory – red foxes, hares, wolves, lynx, red deer, moose, wild boar and roe deer as well as smaller creatures – red squirrels, stoats and others. The park is an important area for wolves and lynx as its big forested area acts as an ecological corridor, allowing dispersing animals to get from one region to another. In quiet corners on the edge, between the forest and the meadow, you have a chance to see a roe deer or red deer herds, while lonesome moose can be seen only in the forest or at the edge of the bog. Near waterbeds or inside them you can see huge piles of sticks that are most likely to be a beaver family’s house. On moss hummocks or in the lichens, snakes and lizards bathe in the sun during warm spring and summer days, and near the water you can hear a frogs’ concert. At night, you will notice bats flying. In total, there are 47 mammal species in the park including 14 protected species, 7 reptile species (including 3 protected), 10 amphibian species (5 protected) and 3246 invertebrates (54 protected). In the freshwaters of the national park, up to 20 fish species occurs.
Come and watch! If you are patient and attentive you will be lucky to see many interesting creatures!
Last revision 01-05-2007
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