One of many world’s most well-known animals died Tuesday — and never from pure causes.
Grizzly Bear 399 was killed on Tuesday in a automotive collision south of Jackson, Wyo., the Nationwide Park Service stated. She was fatally hit by a automobile on Freeway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon and was later recognized by her ear tags and microchip. The mama bear had a yearling cub together with her on the time, however it’s nonetheless lacking.
Park officers don’t consider the bear cub was additionally within the incident, however they’re persevering with to observe the realm, simply in case.
Extra particulars about what occurred will seemingly emerge within the coming days, however the park service stated automobile collisions with bears aren’t unusual. Maybe extra importantly, they acknowledged that this explicit grizzly bear had turn into some of the widespread animals for guests to Yellowstone Nationwide Park.
A Beloved Bear
“Individuals from around the globe have adopted grizzly bear 399 for a number of many years. At 28 years previous, she was the oldest recognized reproducing feminine grizzly bear within the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem,” stated Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Restoration Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bear 399 is much from the primary bear to die from a automobile collision in or close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park. Between 2009 and 2023, parks officers have recorded 49 grizzly bear mortalities attributable to transferring automobiles.
That’s a little bit greater than three bears yearly. Thus far this yr, bear 399 is the second Yellowstone bear to die from a automobile.
“Wildlife automobile collisions and battle are unlucky,” stated Angi Bruce, Wyoming Sport and Fish Division Director. “We’re grateful the motive force is okay and perceive the group is saddened to listen to that grizzly bear 399 has died.”
Whereas Yellowstone’s grizzly bears have lengthy attracted the park’s hundreds of thousands of annual vacationers, there’s little question that bear 399 was “maybe probably the most distinguished ambassador for the species,” Grand Teton Nationwide Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins stated.
“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary,” Jenkins stated. “She has impressed numerous guests into conservation stewardship around the globe and will probably be missed.”
