Ely Bear Research Case Denied by Supreme Court

The Minnesota Supreme Court has declined to reconsider barring wildlife researcher Lynn Rogers from putting radio collars on black bears. 

In 2013, the Department of Natural Resources refused to renew Rogers’ permit to radio-collar bears in the Ely area, citing public safety concerns after reports of bears approaching humans for food.  Rogers sued.

In July, the Minnesota Court of Appeals backed the DNR on banning collaring, though it said Rogers could resume putting web cams in bear dens. 

In an order dated October 20 and listed on the Supreme Court opinions website Wednesday, the high court declined to review the case, letting the Court of Appeals decision stand.