Līgatne, Latvia — Ilzīte, arguably Latvia’s most celebrated bear, marked her 25th birthday on Sunday, January 11, with a hearty appetite—and a distinct disinterest in hibernation. While other Latvian bears are currently enjoying their winter sleep, Ilzīte celebrated with gusto.
A Quarter-Century for Latvia’s Beloved Bear
Ilzīte, abandoned by her mother at birth, has become a national icon thanks to the dedicated care of Velga Vītola.
- Ilzīte celebrated her 25th birthday on January 11 in Līgatne, Latvia.
- She was abandoned by her mother shortly after birth and raised by animal keeper Velga Vītola.
- Unlike wild bears, Ilzīte does not hibernate and enjoyed a special birthday cake.
- A drawing competition invites children to send birthday greetings to Ilzīte.
Q: How old is Ilzīte the bear?
A: Ilzīte turned 25 years old on January 11, making her a senior bear in Latvian terms, though still younger than some of the oldest bears in the country.
Ilzīte’s story began with hardship. Her mother abandoned her immediately after birth, prompting animal keeper Velga Vītola to step in and provide care. January 11 has since become an annual celebration along the nature trails of Līgatne, drawing crowds eager to wish Ilzīte well.
Elīze, a visitor, made a return trip to celebrate with Ilzīte. “I was here about nine years ago and celebrated my birthday,” she said. “And then I decided to do it again.”
As is tradition, Vītola prepared a special birthday cake for Ilzīte. “This year, she ate a piece of honey first. And then there were crab sticks. Sometimes there are more, sometimes less. And then there’s fish and nuts. Well, that’s roughly the order in which it happens,” Vītola explained.
Vītola recounted how Ilzīte mimics human behavior. “But now, by the way, she also ate some mashed potatoes at the end. There’s butter in it. Two packets for one serving. And she likes it. I discovered this completely by accident, because when Ilzīte was still at home and living with us, it was like, well, what do you eat yourself… How is it with a little bear? She’ll do everything his mother does. And if mommy eats French fries, then I want French fries too. She wants to try it because if mommy eats it, then it’s good for me too.”
Vītola noted that 25 years is a significant age for a bear. “Our bear boys are the oldest in Latvia, they are 31 now. That’s really retirement age. They won’t live that long in the wild. Because in the wild, you have to fight for food yourself, and if you are missing something or you are weak in winter, you won’t be able to hibernate.”
For those unable to attend the celebration in Līgatne, there’s still a way to participate. Students aged 7 to 12 are invited to submit artwork to the Nature Conservation Agency in a drawing competition titled “Happy Birthday, Ilzīte the Bear!” Entries must be received by next Sunday.
