Lynn speaks to reporters after meetingWe are grateful for the opportunity to meet with Governor Dayton and Commissioner Landwehr today. The discussion was lively and Governor Dayton graciously gave us over an hour of his time.
We showed them 6 peer-reviewed papers published during the permit. We talked about public safety and how people had been feeding bears in the community for over 50 years, how DNR data show complaints were 80 percent lower than state average, and than no radio collared bear had attacked anyone.
Lynn notices supportersPrior to today's meeting, the DNR had agreed to a full administrative review of their decision. We were hoping Governor Dayton would issue a stay of the DNR’s order to remove radio-collars until an administrative law judge could determine the fairness of the DNR’s decision to end the permit. It didn’t happen. The order to remove the radio-collars in 9 days stands.
It’s impossible to put together a full case and have a decision made within 9 days. Once the collars are off, it’s highly unlikely we would ever find the bears during this year of such good food that few bears are being seen at feeding stations. The few visits being made to feeding stations are in the middle of the night and seldom involve radio-collared bears. When natural food wanes during the 6 weeks of hunting season, the study bears, just like other bears, would visit bait stations.
WRI supporters outside CapitalRemoving the radio-collars by the end of the month would effectively end our study whether an administrative law judge eventually rules in our favor or not. We are back home, but tired from the trip. Now is not the time for decision-making. Perhaps things will seem clearer in the morning.
We appreciated the strong show of support from Lily Fans at the Capital today and the many calls and letters sent in support of our research. Thank you all for all you do!
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.