On Tuesday, 24 June 2025, we had the pleasure of informing the local community and tourists about our activities as part of the LECA Project Open Day, held at the Bieszczady National Park Nature Museum in Ustrzyki Dolne, Poland.
During the event, members of our foundation’s project team spoke about the ongoing initiatives. We used this opportunity to promote education about large carnivores. Among the topics discussed were the nature and behaviour of these animals, how to act in the event of an encounter with a bear or wolf, ways to protect livestock from damage caused by wolves or bears, and how to properly secure waste to avoid attracting bears.
Visitors were keen to hear stories from local residents about encounters with wild animals, including large predators, and the challenges they present. Museum visitors enthusiastically approached our stand to engage in conversations or listen to the experiences of project members, all while enjoying bear-shaped gingerbread specially prepared for the occasion. Materials gathered as part of lynx monitoring in the Bieszczady Mountains were presented via projector, and a film of lynx courtship scenes captured the hearts of the audience.
Children, young people, and adults from both the local area and further afield attended. The children were particularly fascinated by the lynx and bear head masks that accompanied us at the event. The youngest visitors eagerly posed for photos and created their own masks to take home. Adults asked thoughtful questions—especially about coexisting with bears—and many took advantage of the educational materials we provided, bringing them home for further reading.