Grizzly 399, arguably the most famous grizzly bear in the world was struck and killed by an automobile on HIghway 89 in the Snake River Canyon, about 40 miles sosuth of Grand Teton National Park. She was traveling between Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Her yearling male cub, Spirit, was with her but excaped unharmed. It is hoped he is old enough to survive on his own. They were likely headed to Pilgrim Creek in Wyoming to den up for the winter. She was cremated and her ashes spread along Pilgrim Creek in the Grand Teton national Park where she spent much of her life.
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| Grizzley 399 and Spirit Sept 7, 2024 |
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| Highway 89 through Snake River Canyon |
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| Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming |
Grizzly 399 was born in a den in Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming, in the winter of 1996. She resided on federal land in a range of hundreds of miles throughout the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Named for the
identity tag affixed by researchers to her ear, she amazed all by continuing to
reproduce into old age. Unlike many grizzly bears, she was often seen near
roads in Grand Teton, drawing crowds and creating traffic jams.
Grizzly 399 became famous in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, as she raised three cubs near the roads of the park during the summers of 2006 and 2007, giving thousands the opportunity to observe the family in the wild. The spring of 2011, she again emerged with another set of triplets. She had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, and some have been spotted with cubs of their own.
“People from around the world have followed grizzly bear 399 for several decades. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” said Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One of the most nateable photographers is Tom Mangelson whose book about 399 will be a collectors item. https://www.mangelsen.com/grizzly-399-bkgrizzly399.html
A great many videos of Grizzly 399 are available on YouTube. Greg Balvin and his wife Sandy are noted videographers of 399. https://www.youtube.com/@gregbalvin
Other videos are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0qjQZY1CgE&list=PLvxs_j5q540b8Nus7j9MTbNiiucEHmnfU&index=1
In 2020, at the age of 24 years, she appeared with four cubs, highly improbable for a grizzly, especially one of her age. Then her fame really took off. Troopers were required to keep order on the highway and keep people at a distance from the bears. They reappeared in spring 2021 and 2022 when she sent them on their way.
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| 399 and her quads 2020 |
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| 399 and her quads 2020 |
She was, is, and will remain a legend to all who saw her or followed her on Social media.
A memorial was held
for her on October 30, 2024 sponsored by PBS.
https://www.youtube.com/live/xlwERB_zxcEi=IRSbsvx9f1z31aGi
A candlelight vigil
was held in Jackson WY. Nov 2nd in her memory
https://www.youtube.com/live/vbYL55b4X-A?si=l65xmGdkTYp-VDkL
Poor Grizzly 399. A sad but predictable ending to traditional habitat compromised by humans' presence.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on average, between 2009 and 2023, there were 3.3 vehicle-caused grizzly bear mortalities in the GYE per year. No. 399’s death marked the second so far for 2024. https://www.backpacker.com/survival/bears/grizzly-bear-399-death-accident/
DeleteI am sorry to read this - and glad that her excellent genes live on.
ReplyDeleteHer daughter 610 who is 18 years old has raised several cubs. I tried to find a family tree for 399 but could not. One female grizzly named Raspberry has a son named Jam. How cute is that.
DeleteI live in North Idaho, and haven't seen a grizzly bear. Seen plenty of black bear.
ReplyDeleteSame in Saskatchewan. no GRizzlys that I've heard of. Lots of Black Bears. They are relatively benign, even with cubs. Sister of a friend has picked berries in the same clump of bush as a Black Bear. They just ignore each other.
DeleteA formidable grizzly no doubt. I'm very glad I didn't ever have to come face to face with her. Or any bear come to that. Last summer there was a young black bear sighted around this area, I didn't see it myself, but there were a number of photos of him (or her) in back yards shown on the local facebook pages.
ReplyDeleteI like to idea of a candlelight vigil for a grizzle bear. Lovely idea.
DeleteUnless you hike the back trails in the mountains you are not likely to run into a grizzly face to face.
DeleteBlack bears are usually safe to be around. Mothers put their cubs up a tree and run. Young ones, yearlings plus, are so curious they get into trouble.
399 was so loved that there have been a number of candlelight vigils for her. Her daughter 610 is now the Queen of the Tetons.