DNR Reduces Permit for Bear Researcher

ELY (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has cut back on the permit a researcher needs to study bear in northeastern Minnesota.

The DNR has reduced 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 it's concerned about the lack of scientific publications resulting from Rogers' research. Rogers leads the nonprofit Wildlife Research Institute near Ely.  Rogers says the reduction in the number of bears he can study is "devastating."

Rogers says his institute currently has 13 bears collared.

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