Watch AZGFD researchers go inside a black bear den near FlagstaffNew video gives inside look at a landmark bear studyA new video by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers are gathering data about Arizona’s black bear population. The video follows a team of AZGFD biologists conducting one of dozens of den checks for the study– a carefully choreographed process of sedating and temporarily removing a black bear from its den to gather biological samples and check the fit of its radio tracking collar. By incorporating this information with existing data on the number and ages of bears that are harvested each year, the department can create better estimates for Arizona’s black bear population size. American black bears are currently the only bear species in Arizona, living in a variety of habitats across northern, eastern, southeastern and central parts of the state. Despite their name, black bears can have several colors of fur other than black, including brown, blond and cinnamon.