Grizzly 399: Mourning the mama bear who was queen of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park

Wildlife enthusiasts are reeling after the death of Grizzly 399, a beloved mama bear known as the queen of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.

Across the country and beyond, people are mourning the loss of the beloved 28-year-old grizzly bear who was hit by a car on Tuesday in the dark of night in Snake River Canyon, just south of Jackson, Wyoming. She was identified through ear tags and a microchip.

A man driving in a Subaru on his way home from work hit the bear and called the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, who responded to the scene, said Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Capt. Brian Andrew. The driver will not face any charges and the incident will be treated like any other traffic accident involving game, like deer or elk.

Internet reacts

Wildlife enthusiasts, professional photographers, agencies and tourists who were lucky enough to see Grizzly 399 in person took to social media to post about how the devastating loss of Grand Teton National Park's "queen."

"I am not ok," wrote TikTok user @deal_wivit in the description of a video posted to the platform.

"I’m crying too," said a commenter "She was suppose to pass in her den."

Others, from regular people to government agencies, are remembering the bear's legacy on X.

"I can’t really explain how rekt (wrecked) I feel by the loss of a wild animal," wrote wildlife photographer Brynn Alise in a post. "She meant so much to so many of us ... There is a hole in my heart and I will treasure my images and videos of her forever."

The U.S. Department of the Interior also acknowledged the loss of the famous mother bear.

"Interior joins our partners, community members and friends in Wyoming, and around the world, in remembering grizzly bear 399," the department said.

PBS also posted about Grizzly 399, who was the start of its documentary "Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons."

"Today we mourn the loss of Grizzly 399," it stated. "The most famous bear in Grand Teton National Park."

A mother and a star

Grizzly 399's yearling cub was with her when she was struck, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The cub's whereabouts are unknown, and there is no evidence to suggest the yearling was also involved in the accident.

The cub, known to online fans of Grizzly 399 as Spirit, was born in 2023, according to Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary," Jenkins said in a news release. "Grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the most prominent ambassador for the species. She has inspired countless visitors into conservation stewardship around the world and will be missed."

Grizzly 399 leaves a legacy

Born around 1996, Grizzly 399 was captured by Grand Teton National Park in 2001 for research purposes, Grand Teton National Park bear biologist Justin Schwabedissen said during a conference call held by the park on Wednesday afternoon.

Over the past 23 years, Grizzly 399 had eight litters − 18 known cubs in total, with the first litter reported in 2004. In 2020, Grizzly 399 had a four-cub litter. The typical grizzly bear litter size is two cubs, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“People from around the world have followed grizzly bear 399 for several decades. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” Hilary Cooley, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service grizzly bear recovery coordinator, said in a news release.

Julia is a trending reporter for Paste BN. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at Paste BN. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.