The American black bear, Ursus americanus, is occasionally an unwanted visitor in Flagstaff and is frequently seen in the San Francisco Peaks area. Bears come off the mountain to visit bird feeders (Cheshire neighborhood), bee hives (Museum of Northern Arizona) and school yards (Puente de Hozho Magnet School).
If a bear appears to be a nuisance or a potential danger, the Arizona Game and Fish Department dispatch center can be contacted 24/7 at 623-236-7201. Last year they received more than 300 calls about bears. Their website offers excellent advice on what to do if you encounter a bear. There are an estimated 5,800 black bears in Arizona.
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