Bear with us this time on The Children’s Hour as we learn about bears from the legendary Dr. Lynn Rogers from the North American Bear Center. Find out how bears fit into our ecology, where and how they live, and how Dr. Rogers overcame his fear of bears to study wild bears.
Get ready to explore the fascinating world of bears with The Children’s Hour! In this episode, host Katie Stone and the Kids Crew welcome Dr. Lynn Rogers, a renowned biologist often called the “Jane Goodall of bears.” The founder of the North American Bear Center, Dr. Rogers has dedicated his career to studying black bears and shares surprising insights into bear behavior and ecology. You’ll learn how bears communicate, what they like to eat, and why they’re not as scary as we might think.
This episode introduces you to all eight species of bears found around the world. Dr. Rogers guides us through each bear type and its unique habitat. In North America, black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears inhabit diverse environments, from forests to the icy Arctic. South America is home to the spectacled bear, the continent’s only native bear. Asia hosts four species: the moon bear, sun bear, sloth bear, and panda bear, each with special adaptations for their habitats, from bamboo forests to dense jungles. With Dr. Rogers as our guide, we uncover fascinating details about how each species has evolved to thrive in its own region.
Dr. Rogers also shares his personal experiences working with bears. He explains how his research approach changed over time, focusing on building trust with the animals rather than using tranquilizers and collars. This approach allowed him to observe their natural behaviors up close, revealing bears to be intelligent, even gentle creatures. With questions from the Kids Crew and practical tips on what to do if you encounter a bear in the wild, this episode will deepen your respect for these incredible animals and their role in nature.
Bear Spray
Bear spray is a special kind of pepper spray used to keep bears away without hurting them. It’s made from natural ingredients found in spicy peppers, like capsaicin, which causes a burning feeling in the bear’s eyes and nose. Dr. Lynn Rogers, our bear expert, helped test bear spray to make sure it works without causing any lasting harm to bears. When used correctly, bear spray makes the bear feel uncomfortable and encourages it to leave, but the effects wear off quickly, so the bear isn’t hurt.
This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, with support from Dan Krakor, Jackie Fulton, and intern Thaniel Lentz. Special thanks to Dr. Lynn Rogers from the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota, for sharing his expertise with us.
The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.
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Please note: not all songs we play can be found in Spotify.
Playlist: Bears
| title | artist | album |
|---|---|---|
| Teddy Bears' Picnic | David Grisman & Jerry Garcia | Not for Kids Only |
| Waltzing With Bears | Bayou Seco | Use It Again! |
| Bears | Lyle Lovett | Step Inside This House |
| Bear Necessities | Young Lions Youth Jazz Collaborative | Live on The Children's Hour |
| Black Bear | Black Bear | The Cinnamon Phase |
| Bear Song | Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke | Animal Tales |
| That's Not a Bear | Scott and Rosanna | Happy Dance |
| Grizzly Bear | Red Yarn | Deep Woods Revival |
| Larry The Polar Bear | Fred Small | The Heart Of The Appaloosa |
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