Lynn Leroy Rogers (born 1939) is an American biologist who studies wild black bears and is known as the Jane Goodall of bears.[2] He is the founder of the North American Bear Center.[3] He teaches a yearly black bear field study course for the Wildlife Research Institute.[2][1]
Lynn Rogers | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 9, 1939[1] Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mammalogy |
| Website | Wildlife Research Institute |
Rogers has become famous for his working methods: he forms habituated 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.[4]
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 tracked bears with radio collars.[5]
Rogers' studies raise safety concerns in the area where he conducts his research. He has been accused of creating dangerous situations by habituating the bears to human contact. In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources decided not to renew his research permit. Rogers sued the DNR, but was unsuccessful, with the judge ruling that Rogers' methods contributed to a likely public safety risk.[6][7]
Rogers' bear photographs appear in Jeff Fair's book Great American Bear.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b "Field Study Courses - The Wildlife Research Institute". www.bearstudy.org. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
- ^ a b "Meet the Jane Goodall of Bears". Narratively. 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
- ^ Than, Ker (August 20, 2013). ""Bear Man" Lynn Rogers on Recent Attacks: Don't Fear Bears". National Geographic. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013.
- ^ Goldenberg, Suzanne (26 October 2009). "BBC 'bear man' documentary explodes honey myth". The Guardian.
- ^ Kennedy, Tony (May 28, 2014). "Ely bear researcher says he'll be sidelined without DNR research permit". Star Tribune.
- ^ Orrick, Dave (May 27, 2014). "Lynn Rogers' bears pose public safety risk, judge says". Pioneer Press.
- ^ Kennedy, Tony (May 1, 2014). "Judge chides DNR over evidence in Ely bear researcher's case". Star Tribune.
- ^ "Best Bear Books". North American Bear Center. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
External links edit
- Lynn Rogers at the Wildlife Research Institute
- North American Bear Center