Annually a certain wild animal species of Latvia is selected by the Museum to be the animal of the year. The species is chosen according to the importance in terms of conservation and ecology topics as well as fascinating lifestyle facts. Various public events are organized every year for different audiences - interdisciplinary competitions for pupils, photo contests for amateur and professional nature photographers, story nights and family events for children, educational exhibitions for general public, and many more.
The animal of the year is announced every year in January, and is one of the most anticipated activities.
| 2023 | the common lizard Zootoca vivipara and the sand lizard Lacerta agilis |
| 2022 | the weasel Mustela nivalis |
| 2021 | the European hare Lepus europaeus and the mountain hare Lepus timidus |
| 2020 | the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber |
| 2019 | the elk Alces alces |
| 2018 | the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris |
| 2017 | the European eel Anguilla anguilla |
| 2016 | the European badger Meles meles |
| 2015 | the wild boar Sus scrofa |
| 2014 | the grey wolf Canis lupus |
| 2013 | the European pond terrapin Emys orbicularis |
| 2012 | the smooth snake Coronella austriaca |
| 2011 | the western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus |
| 2010 | the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra |
| 2009 | the brown bear Ursus arctos |
| 2008 | the grey seal Halichoerus grypus |
| 2007 | the natterjack toad Epidalea calamita |
| 2006 | the Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans |
| 2005 | the fat dormouse Glis glis |
| 2004 | the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena |
| 2003 | the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx |
| 2002 | Ena montana |
| 2001 | the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera |
| 2000 | the European stag beetle Lucanus cervus |