VMD now collecting wolf selfies via WhatsApp - modern technology meets Latvia's forests
The Hunting Service is asking residents to send wolf photos via WhatsApp, because apparently wolves are showing up too often where they shouldn't.
The State Forest Service has unveiled a new era in hunting management — wolf monitoring now happens through WhatsApp messages. Yes, you read that correctly. Our state institution has realized that the best way to track wild predators is to ask pensioners to send selfies with wolves to a phone number.
"I've been thinking for a while that my old Samsung would be useful for something more serious than writing Delfi comments," says Liepāja district resident Jānis Bērziņš, who has already downloaded the "Hunter" app and is waiting for his first wolf. "In Riga they have their startup projects, but here we're chatting with wolves on WhatsApp!"
The service reports that 370 wolves have been hunted this year — the maximum allowable number. So to speak, the wolf quota has been fulfilled like a five-year plan in Soviet times. Madona county has been most successful with 39 hunted wolves, while in Liepāja county the wolves seem to be smarter — they know there are better hiding spots among the old port warehouses.
For example, in Valmiera county a wolf has become "overly bold" and approaches people at "critical distance." VMD explains this indicates "habituation to humans." Of course — the wolf probably also wants to live in the city where there's decent internet and delivery services. Who can blame him for not wanting to stay in the forest with Lattelecom's 2G connection quality?
⚠️ Satirical article. Facts are preserved, but the presentation is humorous. For accurate information, please refer to the original source.