Iconic Grizzly Bear No. 399 Killed by Vehicle in Wyoming
Grizzly Bear No. 399, a beloved and famous bear in Grand Teton National Park, was tragically killed by a vehicle on Tuesday night in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, Wyoming.
The 28-year-old bear, known for captivating visitors, wildlife photographers, and biologists for decades, was struck around 10:30 p.m. while traveling with a yearling cub, whose current whereabouts are unknown. The driver of the vehicle was unhurt, and no charges are expected.
Grizzly 399 was one of the oldest known reproducing female grizzlies in the Yellowstone region and had become a symbol of the species, particularly for her visibility near park roads, which allowed tourists to observe her up close. Over her lifetime, she raised 18 cubs across eight litters, continuing to reproduce even into old age. She often drew large crowds as people gathered to catch a glimpse of her and her cubs, creating so-called “bear jams” in the park.
The news of her death has saddened her many followers, both locally and worldwide. Fans and wildlife enthusiasts, many of whom followed her journey on social media and in documentaries, expressed their grief and remembered her as an “icon” and an “ambassador for her species.”
Grizzly 399’s death comes at a time of ongoing debates about the conservation of grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). While grizzly populations in the area have rebounded from a low point of around 100 bears in 1975 to approximately 1,000 today, collisions with vehicles remain a concern, with an average of three grizzly deaths annually due to such accidents. Her death marks the second vehicle-related grizzly fatality in the region this year.
The Associated Press, USA Today, FOX News, and Wyoming Public Media contributed to this report.
