This may not be so far fetched.  Here in Oregon, we get cougar and other
mountain lion urine from the state dept. of fish and wildlife to help keep
the deer away from our fruit trees and berry bushes.  It seems to work, but
gets washed away quickly in the "constant" rains here.
 
At 11:41 AM 11/2/96 +0000, you wrote:
>I was wondering if the members of Bee-L could help me settle a debate I'm
>having with my father.  He was trying to tell me that years ago he would
>get lion dung at the zoo.  He claims he would spread it around his bee
>yards to keep the bears away.
>
>Is my dad trying to test my gullibility or has anyone else heard of this?
>Any Zoologists out there ?
>
>Kevin Christensen
>