Wildlife enthusiasts are devastated by the death of Grizzly 399, known as the queen of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The beloved 28-year-old grizzly bear was hit by a car in Snake River Canyon, leaving people across the country mourning her loss. The driver will not face charges, as the incident is being treated as a regular traffic accident involving wildlife. Many took to social media to express their grief, with the U.S. Department of the Interior and PBS also acknowledging the bear’s passing.
Grizzly 399 leaves behind a legacy as an iconic species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Born in 1996, she had eight litters and a total of 18 known cubs, with a litter of four cubs in 2020. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the ecosystem. Her yearling cub, known as Spirit, was with her at the time of the accident, but its whereabouts are currently unknown.
The loss of Grizzly 399 has deeply impacted those who followed her for years, with her story featured in PBS’s documentary “Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons.” Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins emphasized her role as an ambassador for conservation stewardship, and wildlife enthusiasts will treasure the memories of Grizzly 399 forever.
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