Iconic 28-Year-Old Grizzly Bear 399 Killed by Vehicle on Highway 26/89 in Wyoming

Oct 24, 2024, 12:26 AM

Grizzly bear 399, a beloved and iconic figure in Grand Teton National Park, was fatally struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, Wyoming, on the evening of October 22, 2024. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the incident. The 28-year-old bear, known for delighting visitors and researchers for decades, was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Grizzly 399, often referred to as the 'most famous grizzly in the world,' was identified through her microchip. She was known for raising several litters of cubs and had a significant impact on the local grizzly population. The incident occurred while she was out with her yearling cub, whose condition remains unknown.