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Tim Nelson

'June' the research bear killed by hunter

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June, the black bear
June, a black bear weighing more than 300 pounds, wearing a collar with brightly-colored bands designed to warn hunters that she's a research bear. Near Ely, Minn., on Aug. 20, 2012.
Derek Montgomery for MPR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed that a research bear near Ely was shot and killed by a hunter.

The Wildlife Research Institute in Ely posted a notice on its website saying the female bear, "June," was likely killed last week. Researchers say the bear's collar quit sending GPS signals Friday night. A member of the public dropped off the device at a Department of Natural Resources facility in Tower, Minn.

The institute and its founder, Lynn Rogers, have been locked in a legal battle with the DNR. The agency tried to revoke his permit to collar bears earlier this year, citing doubts about the validity of his research.

DNR spokesman Chris Niskanen said the agency asks hunters not to shoot collared bears, but that it's not illegal.

"The DNR recognizes that many bears are taken early or late in the day, and hunters may not be able to see a radio collar," said Niskanen.

Rogers said the bear killed Friday was the most valuable animal to his research. "We not only had the collar on her but we could walk with her. That meant we could get much more detail," he said.

Two other collared bears have been shot this month, including one injured Sept. 5 and another killed Sept. 13. The bear hunting season runs through Oct. 13th.

Reporter Dan Kraker contributed to this report.

VIDEO: Rogers and June, September 2012

Gallery
4 of 4
June up close
June, a 300-plus-pound pregnant black bear is examined by Wildlife Research Institute biologists Lynn Rogers, right, and Sue Mansfield (not pictured) Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 in the woods near Ely, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR
1 of 4
June, the black bear
June, a black bear weighing more than 300 pounds, wearing a collar with brightly-colored bands designed to warn hunters that she's a research bear. Near Ely, Minn., on Aug. 20, 2012.
Derek Montgomery for MPR
2 of 4
Examining June
Wildlife Research Institute biologist Sue Mansfield hand-feeds June, a 300-plus-pound pregnant black bear, while fellow WRI biologist Lynn Rogers records June's heart rate Thursday, August 30, 2012 near Ely, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR