There's a new attraction vying for tourists' attention in Ely. The North American Bear Center has opened on the city's main business street. The bear center has started on a modest scale, but promoters have big plans.

	Lynn Rogers' research into Minnesota's black bears is at the center of the exhibit at the new North American Bear Center in Ely. Rogers says the center is one way to educate more people about black bears. He says there are many misconceptions about black bears. Listen. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

The North American Bear Center is still more dream than reality. Right now it's mostly a photography gallery, displaying some 70 pictures of bears and their environment. There's a single stuffed bear standing guard at the back, a few chairs, a VCR and a TV they're calling a mini-theatre.

This bear center is just a modest precursor of what promoters intend. They envision something like the International Wolf Center at Ely's eastern edge. Like the wolf center, the bear center would be packed with learning exhibits, and could even house a band of orphaned or injured black bears.

Executive Director Bob Matson says the bear center should be an instant success.

"We have about 40,000 people that go through the International Wolf Center every summer. And, the premise has always been that we're almost going to enjoy instant success, because you cannot not go to the bear center if you go to the wolf center," Matson says.

Center volunteer and consultant Don Johnson says Ely is an obvious place for the North American Bear Center. It's located in the nation's center, and right in the heart of black bear country.

	What is that bear saying? Bear researcher Lynn Rogers demonstrates several distinct sounds bears make. Listen. 1. Bear cubs calling for mom. 2. An amiable, friendly bear, like a mom greeting her cubs 3. A frightened bear, stomping its paws and blowing air. 4. A frightened bear in retreat. (Photo courtesy of North American Bear Center)

"Ely is a northern locus," says Johnson. "It has a persona and mystique about it, frankly, that is appealing to anyone who is attracted by the word north."

And, Johnson says, Ely is home for Lynn Rogers. The center's exhibits will be based on Rogers' research into the lives of black bears.

"He provides us with a body of research that is unassailable...he's got the credentials. He's a Ph.D., as a 35-year man in bear research in the world," Johnson says.

Some compare Rogers' research to that of Jane Goodall, who lived for years among a band of African chimpanzees. Lynn Rogers has befriended bears and spent days on end in their company. Roger's unconventional research is not without its critics, but he's provided new insights into black bears. Rogers says people have a natural affinity for bears.

"It's one of the most charismatic of the North American mammals. It's the animal that I think people most identify in the wild - identify with. It's probably the most human-like of the North American mammals," says Rogers.

	This stuffed bear is the only thing that comes close to the real animal at the North American Bear Center in Ely. Organizers hope to raise $6 million to build a larger and more complete exhibit space. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

But, Rogers says, black bears may be one of the most misunderstood animals in the woods. Rogers says a bear center would help teach people to better cope with bears. Already, he says, people are better educated, and more tolerant of bears.

"The better attitude is allowing the bear numbers to expand. But, as bear numbers expand, the concerns expand, because people are more worried about black bears than they should be," he says.

People were worried about Ely's Bear Center as well. Ely was in competition with several cities for the Minnesota Science Museum's coveted bear exhibit. The exhibit would have been a solid foundation for a bear center. The Legislature chose Northome, north of Bemidji, but Gov. Ventura vetoed money for the project. Last fall, The Science Museum sold the exhibit to Yellowstone National Park.

There's no state money headed to the Ely venter either. Instead, it has opened with generous private contributions - and Rogers isn't above a shameless pitch for more.

"There's a place just a mile outside of town - an ideal location. Fifty acres, a wonderful big log structure with a 1,400-square foot room that would be ideal for a big exhibit. If we could have a million dollars soon, we'd be on our way," says Rogers.

The North American Bear Center will launch a capital campaign in the fall. Completion of the center may be some &6 million - and several years - away.

North American Bear Center