Two hunters in Jurbarkas district caused over €60,000 in environmental damage

Two hunters in Lithuania’s Jurbarkas district caused more than €60,000 in damage to wildlife through repeated violations of hunting regulations, the country’s Environmental Protection Department (AAD) announced on Monday.

An investigation found that between May 2024 and August 2025, the hunters systematically broke hunting laws, illegally killing 11 wild animals—including four male and one female red deer, as well as eight male and one female roe deer—without proper registration. Authorities also uncovered three cases where non-hunting guests were falsely recorded in copied hunting logs to conceal illegal activity. In one instance, two red deer were poached during the prohibited month of June.

The department has issued claims for over €60,000 in damages to wildlife resources, which remain unpaid. Beyond financial penalties, the hunters face administrative sanctions, including the revocation of their hunting licenses, confiscation of vehicles and weapons used in the violations, and compensation for their value.

The probe began earlier this year after Jurbarkas district police shared evidence of suspected illegal hunting by members of the local “Pašventys” hunting club. Collaborating with police and the Marijampolė Regional Prosecutor’s Office, environmental officials launched 15 administrative investigations into hunting violations by the two individuals. Further inquiries into additional illegal hunts are ongoing.

Mantė Ramanauskienė, director of the AAD’s Living Nature Protection Department, stated that the case demonstrates how joint efforts between institutions can uncover and hold accountable those responsible for serious environmental offenses. “We commend the persistent and principled work of officials, the involvement of other hunters, and the assistance of partner institutions in conducting this investigation,” she said.