Bear Researcher To Meet With Dayton Next Week

ST. PAUL (AP) — Bear researcher Lynn Rogers is getting his wish to meet with Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton as he makes a last-ditch appeal to keep his permits to radio-collar wild bears and place video cameras in their dens.

Dayton spokesman Bob Hume says Rogers and the governor are due to meet next Monday.

Last month, Department of Natural Resources officials advised Rogers they wouldn't renew his permit and gave him until the end of July to remove the radio collars from bears. They say Rogers' project hasn't yielded much published research lately and that the wild bears involved are getting too comfortable around humans, posing safety risks.

Rogers has gained a devoted following on the Internet for his work hand-feeding bears to gain their trust and for live-streaming the birth of cubs.

Categories: AP Stories, State/Regional News