Grizzly 399, Grand Teton's Iconic Ambassador Bear, Killed by Vehicle at 28

Oct 23, 2024, 11:03 PM

Grizzly 399, a famous grizzly bear, was struck and killed by a vehicle on Tuesday evening in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, Wyoming, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem and served as an ambassador for grizzly bears. Dubbed the 'most famous grizzly in the world' by PBS, she was an icon in Grand Teton National Park, beloved by countless tourists, biologists, and wildlife photographers. She gained fame for raising several litters of cubs over the years, and a large percentage of the grizzly bear population in Yellowstone is related to her. The bear was identified through her microchip after the accident. The condition or whereabouts of her yearling cub, Spirit, are currently unknown.