https://www.fws.gov/press-rele...e-snake-river-canyon



Press Release

Grizzly Bear 399 Fatally Struck by Vehicle in Snake River Canyon
Oct 23, 2024
Media Contacts
Joe Szuszwalak

JACKSON – On the evening of Tuesday, October 22, 2024, grizzly bear 399 was fatally struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, WY. The bear's identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip.

Grizzly bear 399 had a yearling cub with her, whose whereabouts are currently unknown. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the yearling was also involved in the incident, but the Service is monitoring the area.

Unfortunately, vehicle collisions with wildlife, including grizzly bears, are not uncommon across their range. The Service is working with state and local agencies to gather more information.

“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,” said Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Wildlife vehicle collisions and conflict are unfortunate. We are thankful the driver is okay and understand the community is saddened to hear that grizzly bear 399 has died,” said Angi Bruce, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary. 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,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

No additional information is available at this time.



Background information on grizzly bear/vehicle collisions from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team:

From 2009-2023, there have been 49 grizzly bear mortalities due to vehicle collisions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (all sex and age classes combined).
Average number of grizzly bear mortalities in the GYE due to vehicle collisions during 2009-2023: 3.3 bears/year.

In 2024, including this incident, there have been 2 grizzly bear mortalities from vehicle strikes in the GYE.

It’s interesting to see the reaction of so many members of the public at large to the death of this grizzly.

A surprising number of people are in utter despair over a bear they’ve never seen and are making posts you’d think were reserved for the passing of a loved family member. Certainly, the closest many of these people have ever been to any grizzly is their television, yet they’re reacting with sorrow, anxiety, depression and other emotions all out of proportion to the death of a wild animal thousands of miles away from where they live.

This mentality is what we are up against.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
It’s interesting to see the reaction of so many members of the public at large to the death of this grizzly.

A surprising number of people are in utter despair over a bear they’ve never seen and are making posts you’d think were reserved for the passing of a loved family member. Certainly, the closest many of these people have ever been to any grizzly is their television, yet they’re reacting with sorrow, anxiety, depression and other emotions all out of proportion to the death of a wild animal thousands of miles away from where they live.

This mentality is what we are up against.

If I remember right back in the 90's a mountain lion in California killed a woman jogger. A "go fund me" of the time raised more money for the subsequently shot and killed mountain lion than for the children of the eaten jogger.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
It’s interesting to see the reaction of so many members of the public at large to the death of this grizzly.

A surprising number of people are in utter despair over a bear they’ve never seen and are making posts you’d think were reserved for the passing of a loved family member. Certainly, the closest many of these people have ever been to any grizzly is their television, yet they’re reacting with sorrow, anxiety, depression and other emotions all out of proportion to the death of a wild animal thousands of miles away from where they live.

This mentality is what we are up against.

I accidentally stumbled on a few of these posts and I was shocked. It's a strange world we live in.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
It’s interesting to see the reaction of so many members of the public at large to the death of this grizzly.

A surprising number of people are in utter despair over a bear they’ve never seen and are making posts you’d think were reserved for the passing of a loved family member. Certainly, the closest many of these people have ever been to any grizzly is their television, yet they’re reacting with sorrow, anxiety, depression and other emotions all out of proportion to the death of a wild animal thousands of miles away from where they live.

This mentality is what we are up against.

If I remember right back in the 90's a mountain lion in California killed a woman jogger. A "go fund me" of the time raised more money for the subsequently shot and killed mountain lion than for the children of the eaten jogger.

Scott, you are correct. That lion-jogger incident happened just a couple miles from ranches I’ve hunted deer & turkeys on since the late ‘70’s. The cat killed her and consumed a good amount of her body. And yes, the animal rights fanatics raised a lot of money for the lion. Just goes to show how stupid they’re capable of being. A similar incident happened near there earlier this year when a lion killed a 21-year old man. The ARF’s lost their collective minds when our County Trapper killed the lion. Our fish & wildlife department is just as insane. They wanted this lion darted and relocated rather than shooting it .

A few weeks ago, There was another incident of a lion that was preying on domestic sheep about 20 miles from my house. The rancher got a shot at the lion one night and hit it with buckshot in the back legs. Fish & Wildlife was called and they sent the County Trapper out with his dogs to catch the lion. It was fairly crippled up with pellets in both back legs, so he caught it easily. Fish & Wildlife wanted to dart it so they could spend taxpayer money on surgery for the lion, rehab it and then release it away from where it was preying on the sheep. The trapper shot it when it became aggressive toward his dogs. Fish & Wildlife is pissed at the trapper for using common sense and a $1.00 solution to the problem. Insanity on steroids.

Everything is a fur-baby now. This comes from people who put clothes on their dogs as if they are human babies.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
Everything is a fur-baby now. This comes from people who put clothes on their dogs as if they are human babies.

I always wanted to ask old ladies when they start calling their dogs there children.

When they started having sex with the dogs father.

https://www.fws.gov/press-rele...-teton-national-park


Press Release
Grizzly bear #399’s Remains Returned to Grand Teton National Park
Nov 1, 2024

JACKSON – On November 1, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, honored the legacy of grizzly bear #399 by returning her ashes to the Pilgrim Creek area of the park, where she spent much of her life. Following a respectful cremation, grizzly #399’s remains were brought back to Grand Teton National Park, recognizing the connection grizzly #399 had to the area and the interest she inspired among visitors to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

“399 will always be part of this special place,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “However, there is still work to do to ensure her descendants and all grizzly bears continue to thrive in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It's up to all of us to make sure they do.”




Grizzly bear #399, who lived a long life and contributed significantly to the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, was killed in an accidental vehicle collision on October 22, 2024, approximately 40 miles south of Grand Teton National Park. Following the accident, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service received considerable public interest regarding how to honor the bear’s legacy. Taking into account the range of thoughts shared by the public, as well as operational and safety considerations, wildlife managers cremated her remains and returned them to her natural habitat.

“Grizzly bear #399 captivated people around the world, inspiring many to learn about the conservation of this important species,” said Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We received an outpouring of appreciation for #399 and aimed to honor these sentiments in handling her remains.”

Grizzly bear #399’s yearling has not been located, though there is no indication it was struck in the collision. Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.

Grizzly bear #399’s life brought global attention to the grizzly population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and underscored the unique opportunity and responsibility to coexist with these iconic animals. Learn more about coexisting with grizzly bears at https://igbconline.org/be-bear-aware/ .

The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to work with partners to find ways to honor the legacy of grizzly bear #399 through education and conservation efforts.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Grizzly bear #399 facts:

28 years old; one of only 12 known grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to reach the age of 28 or older, representing 0.6% of all bears documented and aged by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team since 1973 as part of the long-term research program.
Oldest documented grizzly bear to reproduce in the GYE (her yearling was born in 2023 when she was 27 years old).
Produced 18 offspring over her lifetime.
Long-lived and successful mothers like 399 are important drivers of the health of this grizzly bear population.

Grizzly bear/vehicle collision information from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team:

From 2009 to 2023, there have been 49 grizzly bear mortalities due to vehicle collisions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (all sex and age classes combined).
Average number of grizzly bear mortalities in the GYE due to vehicle collisions during 2009-2023: 3.3 bears/year.
In 2024, including this incident, there have been 2 grizzly bear mortalities from vehicle strikes in the GYE.
Media contacts: USFWS Contact: r6oc@fws.gov / NPS Grand Teton Contact: grte_public_affairs_office@nps.gov

quote:

JACKSON – On November 1, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, honored the legacy of grizzly bear #399 by returning her ashes to the Pilgrim Creek area of the park, where she spent much of her life. Following a respectful cremation, grizzly #399’s remains were brought back to Grand Teton National Park, recognizing the connection grizzly #399 had to the area and the interest she inspired among visitors to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Thousands of dollars wasted to crewmate that size of animal.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
It’s interesting to see the reaction of so many members of the public at large to the death of this grizzly.

A surprising number of people are in utter despair over a bear they’ve never seen and are making posts you’d think were reserved for the passing of a loved family member. Certainly, the closest many of these people have ever been to any grizzly is their television, yet they’re reacting with sorrow, anxiety, depression and other emotions all out of proportion to the death of a wild animal thousands of miles away from where they live.

This mentality is what we are up against.

If I remember right back in the 90's a mountain lion in California killed a woman jogger. A "go fund me" of the time raised more money for the subsequently shot and killed mountain lion than for the children of the eaten jogger.

I've always said exercise is bad for you ...

Theres more....
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2...-across-the-country/

quote:

Originally posted by kda55:
Theres more....
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2...-across-the-country/

OMG
These people are crazy

quote:

OMG
These people are crazy

Yes they are.

The rumor going around is that she was struck by an electric car.
Never heard it coming.

People also forget about 4 years ago the elk guide and bow hunter who were killed/mauled by a sow grizzly that had taken over their downed elk-the next day. The guide left a wife and children. The last breeding age
grizzly female in Colorado was killed by a bow hunting guide near Pagosa Springs in the San Juan range.

I saw 399 in Yellowstone about 5 years ago. At least she was'nt poached outside the Park or on the boundry line by some California poacher with a camera, ready for U-Tube.

As to the bleeding heart tree-huggers...what would happen if the tree hugged back?