Name Lynn Rogers Education University of Minnesota | Role Biologist | |
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June 4 2013 lynn rogers and fern the black bear
Lynn Leroy Rogers (born 1939) is an American biologist who studies wild black bears. He is the founder of the North American Bear Center.
Rogers has become famous for his working methods: he forms trusting relationships with wild black bears, spending 24-hour periods walking and resting with them, initially alerting them to his presence with a call of 'It's me bear'. He has been the subject of several documentaries.
For 15 years, Rogers' research has centered on the 200 or so bears that live between Ely and Tower, Minnesota at Eagle's Nest Township. He has placed video cameras in bears' dens and attached radio collars to wild bears.
Rogers' studies raised safety concerns in the area where he conducts his research. He has been accused of habituating the bears to human contact. Rogers has rejected claims that he hand-feeds the bears. In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources decided not to renew his research permit. Rogers sued the DNR, but was unsuccessful.
