Grizzly 399 - Wikipedia
Grizzly 399 - Wikipedia
Grizzly 399 - Wikipedia
Grizzly 399
Grizzly 399 (1996 – October 22, 2024)[1] was a
Grizzly 399
grizzly bear living in Grand Teton National Park and
Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, United
States.[2] She was followed by as many as 40 wildlife
photographers,[3][4] and millions of tourists came to
the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to see her and
other grizzly bears.[5][6] There are official Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram accounts for Grizzly 399 with her four cubs near the river
399.[7][8] by Signal Mountain Lodge (June 2020)
Species Ursus arctos horribilis
Life
Grizzly 399 was a grizzly bear who resided on Federal land in a range of hundreds of miles
throughout the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. She was born in
a den in Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming, in the winter of 1996.[2] She was captured in 2001 and fitted
with a radio-collar by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. She was the 399th bear that they
began tracking with this method as part of the long-term research project. In 2018, they stopped
monitoring her via radio telemetry with the research continuing as she resided in an area where
she was very observable.[13]
When she reached age 21, she became older than is usual for a grizzly, as "more than 85 percent of
them are killed because of some kind of human activity before they reach old age".[5] She weighed
almost 400 pounds (180 kg). When standing upright on her hind legs, she was 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m).[2]
Unlike the typical grizzly, she lived in close proximity to humans, although she was not particularly
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concerned with them; scientists have speculated that this was in response to a death of a cub in a
more remote area, so she wanted to avoid that area. She did not kill a human despite at least two
known close encounters, and so avoided being killed by them.[5]
Cubs
Grizzly 399 successfully reared many progeny, including 22 cubs and grandcubs.[2] In mid-May
2020 she was observed with four new cubs born the previous winter.[14] She taught her offspring
habits to benefit from rather than be harmed by human proximity, such as loitering during the fall
elk hunt to consume abandoned elk guts, and looking both ways before crossing roadways to avoid
being struck by vehicles, a common cause of death among bears.[5]
Despite this, at least three of her cubs were killed due to human encounters, including Grizzly
399's only 2016 cub, nicknamed "Snowy" because of his whitish-blonde face coloration.[15] In June
of that year, Snowy was struck and killed by a car in Grand Teton National Park, an incident
investigated as a potential hit-and-run accident.[16][17] In all, she lost half of her descendants, due
to encounters with people or male bears.[18]
On May 21, 2020, a wildlife photographer saw Grizzly 399 coming out of hibernation with four
cubs. At the time, this was her largest brood to date, which occurred in Pilgrim Creek as usual.[19]
On May 16, 2023, Grizzly 399 emerged from hibernation and appeared in the area of Pilgrim Creek
in Grand Teton National Park. She was seen with a single cub.[20] At age 26 or 27, this made her
the oldest female bear to reproduce in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.[20]
Unlike the typical bear, Grizzly 399 regularly gave birth to triplets rather than twins. This typically
has a paradoxical effect on the bear population. A mother bear with three cubs expends
significantly more energy in caring for them, which can potentially decrease rather than increase
the survival rate. Grizzly 399, conversely, typically handled triplets well.[5] One of her triplets grew
to also be a prolific mother and was tagged for research as Grizzly 610.[2][15] In 2011, Grizzly 610
had twins while Grizzly 399 had another set of triplets. The scientists observing the bears were
concerned due to 399's advanced age, but to their surprise Grizzly 610 amicably adopted one of her
mother's triplets.[5]
One of 399's 2017 twins, numbered 964, was relocated to Yellowstone in 2019. She was spotted
with twins in 2023. Grizzly 610's daughter, numbered 926, birthed a set of twins in 2023.
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Grizzly 399 was usually found along the roadside near the Oxbow Bend of the Snake River. The
number of photographers following her grew to approximately 40–50 as of 2015. "399 was
considered the grand matriarch of the park's roadside bears."[3]
In 2016, Grizzly 399 was feared dead after a hunter claimed to have killed her; however, she
emerged from hibernation on May 10, 2016, with one cub in tow. She came forth from the Bridger-
Teton National Forest into the Grand Teton National Park with a white-faced cub following at her
side.[22] In 2017, Grizzly 399 was older than the age beyond which most brown bears usually breed.
On May 16, 2017, she had two cubs following her in a spring snowstorm.[23][10]
Death
On the evening of October 22, 2024, Grizzly 399 was fatally struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89
in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, Wyoming. The bear's identity was confirmed through ear
tags and a microchip.[24]
Wilmot directs 16 volunteers in the brigade throughout the summer until snowfall. If not for the
brigaders, "wildlife watching would be a mess". The brigaders carry bear spray, but their primary
role is to persuade tourists to respect the 100-yard viewing guideline established after incidents
with Grizzly 610, 399's daughter.[21]
Feeding the bears is illegal, so the brigadiers handle this issue too. It can cause bears to become
habituated to people and aggressive. The brigadiers remind tourists of their role in this part. Their
success can be measured in the rarity of major incidents and bear removals. When bears become
too habituated to human presence and aggressive in their pursuit of human food, or when a bear
attacks a human, the "problem bear" is typically euthanized. Grizzly mothers are known for being
aggressively protective of their progeny. In 2011, in Yellowstone National Park, a mother bear
fatally mauled a hiker who got too close. Grizzly 610, 399's daughter, twice "charged" tourists who
approached too closely. No injuries were reported.[21]
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Hunters in the area targeted 399 because she was the biggest and most famous trophy.[7] Daryl
Hunter, a wildlife photographer who followed Grizzly 399, related a conversation with an outfitter
who said, "I met a guy who wants Grizzly 399's rug on his wall, stating that because she is famous,
she makes a better trophy".[22] Grizzly 399 spent part of the year in Grand Teton National Park,
but also hibernated in the national forest where hunting is allowed.[28]
For the 2018 hunting season, Montana decided against a hunt. Idaho, with the fewest grizzlies,
decided to allow hunting of only one bear. On May 23, 2018, the Wyoming wildlife commission
voted unanimously to approve a grizzly bear hunt.[27] The Wyoming Game and Fish Department
let a vote decide the number of grizzlies to be killed. The tally came to 22 grizzlies in a unanimous
vote of 7–0.[29] The hunting season was planned for September 15 to November 15. This was to be
the first authorized hunt in Wyoming in 44 years since they were first listed as endangered in 1975,
at which time no hunting was allowed inside the national parks or the connecting road between
them,[27] and the grizzly population had fallen to around 136 individuals.[29]
Wyoming's planned hunt met with public outcry. Five women in Jackson Hole quickly organized
"Shoot'em With A Camera-Not A Gun", which encouraged opponents of trophy hunting to join the
tag lottery in hopes of preventing hunters from winning tags.[27] Approximately 7,000 people
applied for Wyoming bear tags, including wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, Jane
Goodall, and other conservationists.[29]
In July 2018, Mangelsen learned he was positioned high enough on a hunting lottery to actually
receive a hunting tag, as he held slot number 8 in the queue.[29] In September, just weeks before
hunting season was to begin, a federal judge in Montana restored protection to all of the bears in
the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The judge ruled that the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service officials were "arbitrary and capricious" when they removed protection from the bears
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.[30] In July 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
upheld the Montana judge's ruling.[31]
In March 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended no change to the current listed
status of the grizzly bear in the lower-48 states. They will continue to remain threatened under the
ESA after the completion of a five-year status review.[32]
In popular culture
Books
Grizzly 399: The Story of a Remarkable Bear is a children's book published in May 2020 in Idaho
Falls.[33] The book is written by Sylvia M. Medina, illustrated by Morgan Spicer and includes
photographs by American nature and wildlife photographer, Thomas D. Mangelsen.[34] The
publisher published a subsequent book with the same author, illustrator and photographer in April
2021 to include Grizzly 399's new cubs, titled, "Grizzly 399's Hibernation Pandemonium" after the
24-year-old mother bear surprised the world with the birth of four more cubs in the spring of
2020.[35][36]
Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek In 2015, Thomas D. Mangelsen collaborated with Wilkinson to create
the book about Grizzly 399 and her progeny.[37] Mangelsen made it one of his priorities for over
ten years to record her life, including her hibernation schedule, feeding, and mothering; he
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recorded the birth of three sets of triplets and a set of twins. His photographs, especially the one he
dubbed, "An Icon of Motherhood", helped make her the most famous mother grizzly, maybe the
most famous grizzly, in the world.[7] Millions of people visit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
just to see these grizzly bears.[5][38]
Facebook account
By 2015, Grizzly 399 had a full social media presence, although it is a mystery who is running the
accounts. She has her own Facebook page, Instagram account, and a Twitter handle.[18] "These
aren't just any bears", explains Thomas D. Mangelsen, a global wildlife photographer who lives in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, "They might be the most famous grizzlies alive today on the planet. For
all these people, catching a glimpse of them is the thrill of a lifetime."[21] Mangelsen has been
following her movements for over ten years. Grizzly 399 dispelled the stereotype that all grizzlies
are agents of terror, wrote Bozeman author Todd Wilkinson: "She's more well-behaved a lot of
times than people around her. But she's wild."[18]
See also
List of individual bears
References
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s.com/news/us-news/grizzly-399-famed-yellowstone-area-bear-killed-wyoming-car-accident-rc
na176903). NBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
2. "Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek" (https://www.mangelsen.com/grizzly). Meet Grizzly 399.
www.mangelsen.com. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
3. "The Legacy of Grizzly 399" (https://web.archive.org/web/20210305102533/http://www.rogerha
ydenphotography.com/blog/1/hello-world/). Roger Hayden Photography. June 7, 2015.
Archived from the original (http://www.rogerhaydenphotography.com/blog/1/hello-world/) on
March 5, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
4. "Meet Grizzly Bear 399" (https://a-z-animals.com/blog/meet-grizzly-bear-399-the-worlds-most-f
amous-bear-with-30k-instagram-followers/). az Animals. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
5. Szydlowski, Mike. "Grizzly Bear 399" (https://web.archive.org/web/20210126171930/https://ww
w.columbiatribune.com/news/20171003/grizzly-bear-399). Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived
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January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
6. Knoblauch, Jessica A. (March 9, 2016). "Iconic Grizzly Bear to Become More Vulnerable" (http
s://earthjustice.org/article/iconic-grizzly-bear-to-become-more-vulnerable). Earthjustice.
Retrieved May 4, 2023.
7. Into the wild with Thomas D. Mangelsen (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/into-the-wild-with-tho
mas-mangelsen/). 60 Minutes. www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
8. Mangelsen, Thomas D.; Cooper, Anderson; Wilkinson, Todd (September 12, 2023). Grizzly
399: The World's Most Famous Mother Bear. Rizzoli. ISBN 978-0847899241.
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12. "Part I: Grizzly 399's four cubs will soon reach a life-or-death crossroads" (https://www.exploreb
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– with cubs" (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/09/yellowstone-grizzly-bear-3
99-conservation). The Guardian.
15. "On the Death of Grizzly 760 and the Lessons of Grizzly 399's Clan" (https://www.counterpunc
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Punch. February 26, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
16. Wong, Julia Carrie (June 21, 2016). "Only cub of beloved grizzly bear killed by a car in
Wyoming" (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/20/grizzly-bear-399-cub-killed-car-wyo
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17. Wilkinson, Todd (June 20, 2016). "Famous Bear Cub Killed in Hit and Run in National Park" (htt
ps://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/grizzly-bear-399-cub-snowy-killed-hit-and-run
-grand-teton-national-park). National Geographic News. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
18. "Recovery story told through star mama grizzly" (https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/outdo
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19. "Grizzly 399, four cubs in tow, spotted at Pilgrim Creek" (https://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/ne
ws/wyoming/article_b0b56c23-8473-5ba0-9b45-a4f7401ee4ef.html). Gillette News Record.
May 21, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
20. Arnold, Billy (May 16, 2023). "Grizzly 399 has emerged from the den — with one cub" (https://w
ww.jhnewsandguide.com/the_hole_scroll/grizzly-399-has-emerged-from-the-den-with-one-cub/
article_c517b6e6-0d37-520a-bb68-5eb387c1fdfc.html). Jackson Hole News & Guide.
Retrieved May 17, 2023.
21. Wilkinson, Todd (August 28, 2011). "Bear '399': Brigade Keeps Peace" (https://abcnews.go.co
m/US/bear-399-brigade-peace-tourist-grizzly/story?id=14389454). ABC News. Christian
Science Monitor. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
22. Wilkinson, Todd (May 12, 2016). "Famous Grizzly Bear 'Back From the Dead'—With a New
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h-cub). National Geographic News. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
23. "Famous Grandma Grizzly Bear Has Twins at 21" (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animal
s/article/bears-yellowstone-endangered-species-wyoming). National Geographic News. May
18, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
24. Grizzly 399, famed Yellowstone area bear, killed in Wyoming car accident (https://www.nbcnew
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na176903). NBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
25. "Feds remove Grizzly bears from protected list" (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/grizz
ly-conclusion-feds-remove-bears-protected-list-n775641). NBC News. Retrieved January 27,
2019.
26. Mueller, Jennifer. "How Much Area Does a Grizzly Bear Cover in One Year?" (https://animals.m
om.com/much-area-grizzly-bear-cover-one-year-3253.html). Pets on Mom.com. Retrieved
September 27, 2021.
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27. Brulliard, Karin. "Yellowstone grizzly bears are off the endangered list; Wyoming says it's time
to hunt them again" (https://web.archive.org/web/20180524181355/https://news.nationalgeogra
phic.com/2018/05/yellowstone-grizzly-bear-hunts-wyoming-controversy-animals/). Chicago
Tribune. Archived from the original (https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/yellowstone-
grizzly-bear-hunts-wyoming-controversy-animals/) on May 24, 2018. Retrieved January 27,
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28. Wilkinson, Todd (May 24, 2018). "Yellowstone-Area Grizzly Bears to Be Hunted for First Time
in Decades" (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/yellowstone-grizzly-bear-hunt
s-wyoming-controversy-animals). National Geographic News. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
29. Wilkinson, Todd. "Bruin Lottery: Photographer Tom Mangelsen Scores A Wyoming Grizzly Tag"
(https://mountainjournal.org/american-photographer-tom-mangelsen-wins-right-to-kill-grizzly).
Mountain Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
30. Hughes, Trevor (September 24, 2018). "Judge reinstates federal protections for grizzly bears,
blocks planned fall hunting season" (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/09/24/judge-gr
izzly-bear-protection-wyoming-idaho-hunt/1417295002/). USA Today. Retrieved January 27,
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31. Nichols, Dave (July 8, 2022). "Appeals Court Victory Maintains Protections for Yellowstone
Grizzlies" (https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jul/08/appeals-court-victory-maintains-pro
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32. "Grizzly Bears in Lower-48 States to Retain Threatened Status Under Endangered Species
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Services. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
33. "Home" (https://www.greenkidsclub.com/). Green Kids Club, Inc. Retrieved December 21,
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34. Painter, Jerry. "Grizzly 399: Local author revises new book to include famous bear's spring
surprise" (https://www.postregister.com/news/local/grizzly-399-local-author-revises-new-book-t
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Post Register. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
35. "Award-Winning Publisher Green Kids Club Releases New Book: Grizzly 399's Hibernation
Pandemonium" (https://web.archive.org/web/20210927225740/https://www.wboc.com/story/43
826470/award-winning-publisher-green-kids-club-releases-new-book-grizzly-399s-hibernation-
pandemonium). WBOC. Archived from the original (https://www.wboc.com/story/43826470/awa
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36. "Award Winning Publisher Green Kids Club Releases New Book: Grizzly 399" (https://www.24-
7pressrelease.com/press-release/474568/award-winning-publisher-green-kids-club-releases-n
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Retrieved December 21, 2020.
37. Pierce, Ben. "Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek: Book traces life history of famed bear 399" (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20170705222722/http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/outdoors/grizzlies-
of-pilgrim-creek-book-traces-life-history-of-famed/article_6dea982c-998f-5e1a-8128-013e3815
4de4.html). Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Archived from the original (https://www.bozemandailychr
onicle.com/outdoors/grizzlies-of-pilgrim-creek-book-traces-life-history-of-famed/article_6dea98
2c-998f-5e1a-8128-013e38154de4.html) on July 5, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
38. Hughes, Trevor (August 28, 2018). "Fate of 22 grizzly bears up to judge's decision. Should
trophy hunters be allowed to kill?" (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/08/28/grizzly-hu
nt-pits-tourists-against-sportsmen-wyoming/1065854002/). USA Today. Retrieved March 12,
2019.
External links
Grand Teton Parks Grizzly Bears 399 & 610 − YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_399 7/8
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sKx9txKYY)
Always Endangered − The Story of Grizzly 399 − YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
gLTz1_0cvD8)
Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek (Book Trailer) − YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont
inue=1&v=fJ-bOdhyPZo)
VIDEO: Grizzly 399 and cubs | Multimedia | jhnewsandguide.com (https://www.jhnewsandguid
e.com/multimedia/jhn_g_videos/video_06106756-f239-50b5-914f-7951159e508d.html)
PBS Nature "Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons" full episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=9gXa-bs_9i0&t=340s)
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