Animal of the year 2024 the roe deer
Animal of the year 2024 the roe deer
Animal of the year 2023 the sand lizard
Animal of the year 2023 the common lizard
Animal of the year 2022 weasel
Animal of the year 2021 the European hare
Animal of the year 2021 the mountain hare
Animal of the year 2020 the Eurasian beaver
Animal of the year 2019 the elk
Animal of the year 2018 the red squirrel
Animal of the year 2017 the European eel
Animal of the year 2016 the European badger
Animal of the year 2015 the wild boar
Animal of the year 2014 the grey wolf
Animal of the year 2013 the European pond turtle
Animal of the year 2012 the smooth snake
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.
| 2025 | the white-breasted hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus the European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus |
| 2024 | the roe deer Capreolus capreolus |
| 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 |