Long live the Queen of the Tetons.
Last week, the greater Yellowstone ecosystem lost one of the greatest bears it’s ever seen, Grizzly 399.
At 28 years old, Grizzly 399, nicknamed Queen of the Tetons, was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear. Over her remarkable life, she birthed 18 cubs, including a litter of four. Standing at roughly 7 feet tall and weighing close to 400 pounds, Grizzly 399 was a picturesque Grizzly bear, captivating tours of the greater Yellowstone area.
Earlier this week, the life of Grizzly 399 sadly came to an end when a driver hit her in south Grand Teton National Park. CBS News reported that the death of the animal is classified as “truly an accident” as the driver was not speeding. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Patrol Lt. John Stetzenbach told a local Jackson Hole outlet:
“The bear stepped right out into the road. The driver was unable to brake in time to avoid the bear, and the collision occurred.”
The sheriff refused to identify the driver as many social media users have already assumed that the person operating the vehicle’s driving skills were 100% the reason for Grizzly 399’s death.
When Grizzly 399 was struck by the vehicle, one of her offspring was nearby. Luckily, according to CBS News reports, Grand Teton bear biologist Justin Schwabedissen believes that the yearling cub was not injured in the accident and will be able to survive on their own without their mother.
As soon as the news broke, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and tourists began to mourn her loss. Grizzly 399 became a huge attraction for folks to go see as she would come out of hibernation yearly with her cubs; she was a force to be reckoned with. Her impressive stature was hard to miss, and she became a muse for many wildlife photographers who would chase her down every year to experience some of her beauty.
😭😭😭 @riffoutdoors
🎥: karphotography (TikTok) pic.twitter.com/sTtQiVrwlY
— Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) October 31, 2024
“Her intelligence, her behavior, her beauty. The fact that she’s had all these offspring. There’s not many bears that I know of that’s had three sets of triplets.”
Photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen once said how exquisite of an animal she was.
An average of three grizzly bears are killed annually by vehicles. From 2009-2023, 49 Greater Yellowstone grizzly bears were killed by vehicle collisions, one of which was one of Grizzly 399’s cubs in 2016.
Rest in peace, Grizzly 399; thank you for shedding light on your species and bringing so much new life into this world. Her greatness will never be forgotten.
Check out some of the comments left on a PBS TikTok, where wildlife enthusiasts share their heartbreak learning this news.
“This isn’t just heartbreaking it’s a horrible injustice to the wildlife of the Tetons!”
“My heart is broken.”
“How do we protect these animals better? Over the summer, the same thing happened to a rare white grizzly bear and her cubs.”
“So sad. Hope her cub will be ok.”
“She will always be our QUEEN.”
“Tragic.”
“I saw this bear a few years ago. Absolutely heartbreaking!”
“I am heartbroken. She was such an amazing mama.”
“Killed by something that should be anywhere near her. Rest in peace, beautiful girl.”
