Grizzly 399, a famed grizzly bear beloved for many years by numerous skilled wildlife photographers, has been killed in a automobile accident. Recognized solely by her analysis quantity, 399 has been a fixture in Grand Teton Nationwide Park, Wyoming since 2007 — changing into the world’s most well-known and photographed grizzly bear on the earth. Nonetheless, park officers have introduced that 399 has died after a automobile struck her on Freeway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, Wyoming on Tuesday night. 399 was believed to be 28 years outdated and one of many oldest recognized grizzly bears nonetheless reproducing. The bear’s identification was confirmed by ear tags and a microchip. Park officers say 399 had a yearling cub together with her. Whereas the cub isn’t believed to have been damage, its whereabouts is unknown.
Grand Teton and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers say it’s monitoring the realm. “Wildlife automobile collisions and battle are unlucky. We’re grateful the driving force is okay and perceive the neighborhood is saddened to listen to that grizzly bear 399 has died,” Angi Bruce, Wyoming Recreation and Fish Division Director, says in an announcement. A Grizzly That Was The ‘Grand Salesman for Canon Lenses’ Among the many estimated 730 grizzlies that dwell within the Larger Yellowstone ecosystem, 399 has turn out to be a veritable superstar amongst wildlife photographers. Grizzly 399 was born in Grand Teton Nationwide Park in 1996. Based on The Washington Submit, by the mid-2000s, a number of photographers had made careers following 399. Chris Servheen, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s former grizzly bear restoration coordinator, even joked that 399 was a “grand salesman for Canon lenses.” Every spring, wildlife photographers eagerly awaited the 400-pound grizzly bear’s emergence from her den to see what number of cubs she had birthed over the winter.
“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Larger Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary. Grizzly bear 399 has been maybe essentially the most outstanding ambassador for the species,” Grand Teton Nationwide Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins says. “She has impressed numerous guests into conservation stewardship world wide and might be missed.” Earlier this 12 months, acclaimed wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen misplaced a rare $20,000 authorized battle over a site visitors ticket that took place after he slowed his automobile to examine on a wounded 399. Picture credit: Header photograph by way of NPS.
