Lynn Rogers, the founder of the North American Bear Center in Ely, got closer to black bears than most Northlanders ever will.

A WDIO reporter went along on one of his trips into the woods in 2000.

“By us showing what bears are really like rather than the storybook, outdoor magazine portrayal of them, people can better understand them and be more willing to coexist with them,” Rogers said.

One particular 3-year-old, Blackheart, seemed to be comfortable with Rogers around.