Black bears are often considered among the most dangerous animals in North America, depicted down the years as ferocious predators threatening to man.

But, says one man, that perception could not be further from the truth.

For 43 years, Professor Lynn Rogers has studied wild bears, walking and playing with them, gaining amazing insights into their behaviour.

His studies reveal the bears as peaceful, playful creatures, which even hum when they are content.

The new understanding of wild black bear (Ursus americanus) behaviour unveiled by Prof Roger´s research is depicted by the BBC natural history programme Natural World: "Bearwalker of the Northwoods".

For the first half of my life, I struggled to control my fear of bears. But bears like June have taught me that they are not the ferocious animals we once thought Professor Lynn Rogers

As part of the programme, the BBC film crew working with Prof Rogers recorded wild black bears mating for the first time.

When the male bear mounts the female, his body shakes in a behaviour that Prof Rogers calls "fluttering".

Contrary to popular opinion, mating bears aren´t particularly dangerous.

In all his years observing the black bears, he has never been threatened by a black bear that is attempting to attract or mate with another ........

rest you could read in here http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8320000/8320414.stm

OK, I can sort of respect what this guy does, but bears are wild animals and they will eat you if they are hungry and you are in their territory.  I understand the need for naturalists to "get the word out" about how preditory animals are all misunderstood, but tell that to Steve Irwin. I am an avid camper and hiker and have done so all over North America.  Bears are dangerous and should be avoided.  (So should crocodiles, sharks, snakes, moose, ect...)

Thanks for the article foka.....definately worth discussing! 

as far as I know no bear species other than polar bears eats humans although they can attack and kill you. wolves on the other hand can eat humans in winter when they can`t find anything else. I think I wouldn`t taste so good.

Add a little ketchup and mayonaise....

 OK, hayvanherif....when you encounter a bear in the woods, you can reason with him/her that you are a human and they he/she should not be looking at you as if you were it´s next meal....remind him/her that he/she is not a wolf and that you DON´T have any ketsup or mayo!!  hehehe

or else you can shoot the bear in a Texan fashion.

Shooting is always an option but I would rather avoid the bear!

Now what makes you think Elisabeth would do that???  

 Because I am from Texas and all Texans shoot things/people/animals/etc...

Can we get a Cowboy smiley JUST FOR ME???? 

 Now hold up just one minute there Tex!  If you get a Cowboy smiley, I get a 49er smiley!!!