Beloved Grand Teton grizzly bear No. 399 fatally struck by a vehicle in Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park’s celebrated grizzly bear, known by wildlife photographers astir the world, died aft being struck by a conveyance Tuesday in Wyoming.

The 28-year-old carnivore named Grizzly Bear 399, due to the fact that of the individuality tag attached to her ear, was identified by her receptor tags and microchip, according to a property merchandise from the park.

"People from astir the satellite person followed grizzly carnivore 399 for respective decades. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing pistillate grizzly carnivore successful the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem," said Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Grand Teton National Park’s celebrated Grizzly Bear 399, known by wildlife photographers astir the world, died aft being struck by a conveyance Tuesday. (NPS)

According to the park, the bear, who has had 18 cubs implicit the years, was not traveling unsocial and "had a yearling cub with her, whose whereabouts are presently unknown. At this time, determination is nary grounds to suggest the yearling was besides progressive successful the incident, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service is monitoring the area," according to the release.

A Facebook radical ‘Team 399’ dedicated to the carnivore has thousands of comments and outpourings of emotion and idiosyncratic stories astir their transportation to the beloved bear.

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Grand Teton National Park’s celebrated grizzly bear, known by wildlife photographers astir the world, died aft being struck by a conveyance Tuesday. (NPS)

"So saddened by this loss.  Iconic & volition beryllium missed.  Hopefully you sill(all) volition find cub.  This is truthful idiosyncratic for many.  For me, she was my comic alleviation during Covid & her march done Jackson w her quads & constabulary escort.  While we were locked down & fearful … she was doing her happening w her quads w freedom.  I purchased a graphic from Thomas Mangelson & person it hung successful my sunroom & grin each time I walk it.  Will miss her!!!," said 1 commenter.

"This wasn’t expected to happen. She was expected to spell to her den and slumber into eternity. I americium gutted," said different fan.

"I thought this was a hoax until I work the article. Not astatine each what I was expecting to spot today. I ever prayed she would dice of earthy causes and not this. She was the Queen of the Tetons and ever will. I ne'er got to spot her connected my 3 trips. She was a quality and volition beryllium missed. Tears are a falling. She was an ambassador for grizzlies everywhere. RIP Queen. I commune Rowdy survives connected his own," said yet another.

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Grizzly sow nursing cubs adjacent Fishing Bridge; Jim Peaco; May 2015 (Jim Peaco)

The parkland said that these types of accidents are not uncommon. "Wildlife conveyance collisions and struggle are unfortunate. We are thankful the operator is good and recognize the assemblage is saddened to perceive that grizzly carnivore 399 has died," said Angi Bruce, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director.  

The merchandise went connected to supply inheritance accusation connected grizzly bear/vehicle collisions from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team:  

• From 2009-2023, determination person been 49 grizzly carnivore mortalities (all enactment and property classes combined) owed to conveyance collisions successful the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• The mean fig of grizzly carnivore mortalities successful the GYE owed to conveyance collisions during 2009-2023: 3.3 bears/year.
• In 2024, including this incident, determination person been 2 grizzly carnivore mortalities from conveyance strikes successful the GYE.

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"The grizzly carnivore is an iconic taxon that helps marque the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem truthful extraordinary. Grizzly carnivore 399 has been possibly the astir salient ambassador for the species. She has inspired countless visitors into conservation stewardship astir the satellite and volition beryllium missed," said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.  

The circumstances of the clang were unclear, and nary further accusation is disposable astatine this time.