Vandal sprays wild bees at Zilie Kalni nature trail near Ogre, sparking public outrage
An unknown person sprayed a wild bee colony with a foul-smelling liquid at the Forest Bee Trail near Ikšķile, prompting widespread condemnation on social media.
A case of vandalism has occurred at the Forest Bee Trail located in the Zilie Kalni (Blue Hills) area near Ogre, according to a social media post by the trail's creator and bee enthusiast Ivars Rancāns. He described how visitors had left bottle caps and cigarette butts scattered around the site, but a far more serious incident followed: someone who apparently disliked the presence of bees returned with a suspicious container and sprayed a bee colony with a foul-smelling liquid. According to the account, the bees did not attempt to flee but stayed close to their queen and larvae, protecting them until the end.
About the trail
The Forest Bee Trail was established on June 13, 2025, with the goal of introducing the public to the life of wild forest bees (apis mellifera) and their importance as pollinators for the ecosystem. The trail is located at the start of the Zilie Kalni hills on the Ikšķile side, about 1 kilometer from the Ikšķile railway station, and stretches 2 kilometers. The wooden hive, or log-hive, trail was created by Ivars Rancāns in cooperation with the Zilie Kalni agency, as part of efforts to promote the ancient tradition of forest beekeeping.
Public reaction
The post drew a strong response in the comments, with several local residents sharply condemning the vandal and expressing outrage over such treatment of nature. The trail's creator urged anyone who witnesses vandalism or disorderly behavior at the site to report it to the police.
