Department of Natural Resources cuts permit for Ely bear researcher

Post date: Jan 28, 2013 4:05:20 PM

Article by: Associated Press

Updated: January 24, 2013 - 7:19 AM

ELY, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has cut back on the number of bears a researcher may study and reduced the time he can do it.

The DNR lowered the number of bears Lynn Rogers can collar and track from 15 to 12. And the permit is valid only through June, rather than December.

The DNR says Rogers hasn't produced enough scientific work.

Rogers leads the nonprofit Wildlife Research Institute near Ely. He may be best-known for placing cameras in bear dens for Internet feeds that have attracted fans around the world.

Rogers says the reduction in the number of bears he can study is "devastating." He tells the Duluth News Tribune ( http://bit.ly/V6KOfJ) his institute currently has 13 bears collared.

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com