Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Richard K. Sullivan, environmental affairs secretary and others met up with state wildlife biologists in the woods of Belchertown Thursday to gather data on the commonwealth's black bear population.

Tracking a tagged bear to her den, biologists sedated her and gathered her five-week-old cub for study. Weighing in at just over six pounds, the female cub cooed gently in the arms of the governor and shivered in the cold air.

Momma bear tipped the scale at 240 pounds, a bit heavier than last year. Ralph E. Taylor, MassWildlife Connecticut Valley Supervisor, said that mother and child are in great health and officials look forward to studying them for years to come.