Iconic Grizzly Bear 399 Dies in Car Crash

In Grand Teton National Park, a well-known grizzly bear named 399, famous among tourists and wildlife enthusiasts, has sadly passed away. The bear met its end on Tuesday night after being hit by a car in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, Wyoming. At 28 years old, 399 was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Each spring, people eagerly awaited her emergence from hibernation to see her new cubs.

Named after a tag on her ear, 399 was unique for being seen near roads. This behavior might have kept male grizzlies away, protecting her cubs. Sometimes, male grizzlies can be a threat, even killing cubs to make the mother ready to mate again. A yearling cub was with her at the time of the accident, but its whereabouts are unknown. The driver was unharmed, but the community is mourning the loss of this beloved bear. Many consider the grizzlies in the Yellowstone region a conservation success story. Their numbers have grown significantly since the 1970s, but with this growth comes more encounters with humans and livestock, often ending badly for the bears.

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