Grizzly Bear 399 was a globally recognized symbol of wildlife in the United States, representing the recovery of the grizzly population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). This iconic female bear spent her long life navigating the intersection of wilderness and human presence, primarily within the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming. Her consistent visibility and remarkable longevity made her an ambassador for her species, drawing worldwide attention to the challenges faced by large carnivores.
Establishing the Legend: Bear 399’s Identity and History
Bear 399 was not named by the public but received her designation from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, becoming the 399th bear to be tracked for research purposes. She was born in a den near Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming, in the winter of 1996, making her one of the oldest known female grizzlies in the GYE. Her official monitoring began in 2001 when researchers fitted her with a radio collar to track her movements across the vast landscape of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Her widespread fame began in the mid-2000s when she started raising her litters near the park’s roadways, where human crowds were frequent. Scientists interpreted this unusual behavior as a strategy to protect her cubs from aggressive male grizzlies, which tend to avoid areas with high human activity. She was celebrated for her prolific reproduction, successfully raising 18 cubs across eight litters throughout her life.
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Seasonal Movements and Habitat
The question of a grizzly’s location is intrinsically tied to the annual biological cycle of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which dictates a pattern of seasonal movements. In the spring, bears like 399 emerge from their dens, seeking out the first available food sources, such as winter-killed ungulates and fresh grasses at lower elevations. This is often the time when she was most frequently seen in the sagebrush flats and meadows of GTNP, where the initial flush of vegetation provided sustenance.
As the season progressed, her movements were driven by the need to enter hyperphagia, a period of intense feeding in the late summer and fall to store fat reserves for the upcoming winter hibernation. Grizzly diets are highly varied, consisting of over 200 different food items, including roots, berries, moths, and small mammals. During these months, she would travel across hundreds of square miles in the Jackson Hole region, following the ripening of huckleberries and other seasonal forage.
The yearly cycle culminated in denning, typically beginning in November, where a female grizzly would choose a secluded den site, usually on a steep, north-facing slope at higher elevations. She would spend the winter months in a state of torpor, giving birth in the den around January and emerging with her new litter in the spring. Her predictable pattern of appearance and disappearance each year was a natural rhythm that wildlife watchers eagerly anticipated.
Monitoring and Final Status
On the evening of October 22, 2024, Bear 399 was fatally struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, Wyoming. This location was outside the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. Her identity was officially confirmed by researchers using ear tags and a microchip.
At the time of the collision, the 28-year-old bear was accompanied by her yearling cub, who was not involved in the incident. While the cub’s exact location remains unknown, biologists determined that a cub of its age and size has a strong probability of surviving independently. Park officials cremated her remains and returned her ashes to the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park, the region where she spent much of her life.
Conservation Impact and Offspring Dispersal
Bear 399’s life had a substantial impact on the genetic recovery and population growth of grizzlies in the GYE, which has seen its numbers increase since their listing under the Endangered Species Act. As the oldest known reproducing female in the ecosystem, her success in raising numerous litters has contributed significantly to the region’s genetic diversity. Her daughter, Grizzly 610, became a famous mother in her own right, establishing a matriarchal lineage within the park’s core viewing area.
Her most famous litter, the four cubs of 2020, eventually dispersed from their mother’s range, following the natural course of grizzly life history. This dispersal is a component of the species’ recovery, helping to expand the population’s range beyond the park boundaries into historical habitats. Her consistent presence near people highlighted the need for human-wildlife coexistence, leading to the formation of the Grand Teton Wildlife Brigade to manage crowds and prevent conflicts.