Remains of Grizzly Bear 399 returned to Grand Teton National Park

Grizzly 399 with cubs, June 2020 / StevenPDeVries – Wikipedia

Grizzly Bear 399 has returned home. The beloved and world-famous mama bear of nearly two dozen cubs was killed in Wyoming last week when she was hit by a car. Snake River Canyon south of Grand Teton National Park. Her remains were cremated and then taken back to the park on Friday. She was buried and her ashes scattered near Pilgrim Creek, the place where the bear spent most of its life.

“Grizzly Bear No. 399 has captivated people around the world, inspiring many to learn about the conservation of this important species,” said Hilary Cooley, grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We have received an outpouring of appreciation for 399 and have sought to honor those sentiments in the handling of her remains.”

Grizzly 399 is believed to have been 28 years old at the time of his death. She raised the cubs for years, often in areas frequented by tourists and photographers, many of whom developed a kind of one-sided friendship with the bear. She even inspired a local fan club.

At the time of her death, the mother bear had a one-year-old cub, but the cub’s whereabouts are unknown. Grizzly 399 was 27 years old when this cub was born, making her the oldest observed grizzly bear in the history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to give birth to a cub.

“The life of Grizzly Bear No. 399 brought global attention to the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and highlighted the unique opportunity and responsibility to coexist with these iconic animals,” the National Park Service said in a statement.

“399 will always be a part of this special place,” said Grand Teton Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “However, much remains to be done to ensure that her descendants and all grizzly bears continue to thrive in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We all need to make sure they do.”

Grant-Teton National Park officials will continue to work to find ways to honor Grizzly 399’s legacy “through educational and conservation efforts.”

Learn more about coexistence with grizzly bears on the website https://igbconline.org/be-bear-aware/.