Saskatoon's Kent O'Grady feeds black bears to earn their trust
Method of studying black bears' social behaviour is controversial
Six years ago, Saskatoon's Kent O'Grady encountered a black bear in southern British Columbia. Instead of being frightened, he felt an instant connection and was fascinated with the animal.
That fascination grew into a relationship with black bears some scientists and authorities call dangerous. O'Grady feeds black bears to earn their trust and spend time with them.
I've been very close and we've engaged in all kinds of behavioural observations.- Kent O'Grady, volunteer with The North American Bear Center and Wildlife Research Institute.
Working with Dr. Lynn Rogers in Minnesota, who has been feeding and studying black bears for the past 45 years, O'Grady has been up close with more than 70 black bears.
Although he's never petted a black bear, he feels fortunate to have such an intimate experience.
"I've been very close and we've engaged in all kinds of behavioural observations," O'Grady told Saskatoon Morning host, Leisha Grebinski.
He said the act of feeding black bears was a 'calm' experience but pointed out there are some dangers that go along with it.
"The thing that you must understand is feeding bears in Saskatchewan is illegal. Do not attempt this at home. It is not something that is ever to be done under any circumstances unless you are in a controlled, scientific environment."
O'Grady travels to northern Minnesota to feed black bears, which is where Dr. Rogers conducts his studies. He volunteers with the North American Bear Center and Wildlife Research Institute.
Feeding black bears for scientific reasons is controversial
Dr. Rogers has been in the spotlight recently after a court decision last month in Minnesota. A judge stated the wild black bears he feeds are a risk to public safety. The court also said the Department of Natural Resources in Minnesota was correct in refusing to renew Rogers' research permit.
The controversy is something O'Grady does not shy away from. He understands the concerns of this type of research, but believes Rogers' methods are safe.
"The trust that Dr. Rogers develops with these bears is not transferable to other humans. When the bear sees that human, they will not recognize that human and will tend to run away."
People in Saskatoon will have a chance to learn about Dr. Rogers' research this afternoon at the Frances Morrison Library. The documentary film, 'Bearwalker of the Northwoods' was showing at 2 p.m. CST Wednesday afternoon and follows Rogers as he interacts with black bears.
O'Grady will be in attendance and will give a presentation on the film and his own experiences afterwards.
Black Bear Facts
- Four to seven feet from nose to tail, two to three feet high at the shoulders.
- Come in more colours than any other North American mammal. Are almost always black in eastern populations but are brown, cinnamon, black or blonde in western populations.
- Hearing exceeds human frequency ranges and probably twice the sensitivity.
- Lean bears can exceed 50 km/h when running uphill, downhill or on level ground.
- Can live to between 21 and 33 years or more. Nearly all adult bears die from human-related causes.