In her nearly thirty years traversing the snowy terrains of the Teton Range, Grizzly No. 399 evolved into a cherished figure among nature enthusiasts, with millions of visitors tracking her seasonal journeys and expanding family lineage.
Nature aficionados are grieving the loss of this iconic bear matriarch, who tragically lost her life on October 22 after being struck by a vehicle on a highway in western Wyoming. A candlelight vigil is set to take place Saturday night in the picturesque ski town of Jackson. Despite the cold weather, many are expected to gather, with additional participants joining online.
Wildlife photographers, biologists, and community members will come together to reminisce about the 28-year-old grizzly, celebrated for her presence in popular tourist locales and her frequent appearances near roads in Grand Teton National Park. A PBS documentary dubbed her the “Queen of the Tetons,” and a dedicated Instagram page has garnered over 60,000 followers.
“She was a living legend, and she became an ambassador for her species as well as a rallying symbol for those advocating for the conservation of American public lands,” stated Jack Bayles, a wildlife tour guide who is organizing the vigil in the town square of Jackson.
Affectionately named after the research tag attached to her ear, No. 399 was recognized as the oldest known female grizzly capable of reproduction in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Her influence has played a critical role in increasing the region’s grizzly population, which has surged from a mere 100 in the 1970s to approximately 1,000 today.
Throughout her life, she had 18 known cubs across eight litters, some of whom have since been spotted with their own young. Park officials shared that her ashes were scattered in the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park—a significant location in her life.
“399 will always be a part of this special area,” remarked Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “However, we must continue our efforts to ensure her descendants and all grizzly bears thrive in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. It’s everyone’s responsibility to safeguard their future.”
Grizzly bears have alternated between being on and off the endangered species list. Although they remain federally protected, officials in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho have sought to lift that protection as the population has rebounded. These states aim to take back management control of grizzlies and to introduce limited hunting.
Conservationists contend that the species still requires safeguarding, especially as climate change has resulted in food shortages, leading grizzlies to venture further from their habitats in search of nourishment.
During his tours in the Tetons, Bayles frequently highlights the depletion of huckleberry bushes due to rising temperatures, suggesting this could explain why No. 399 was found approximately 40 miles south of her usual habitat at the time of her tragic accident. Grizzlies need to forage almost continuously in the fall to gather enough fat for their winter hibernation.
At the vigil, Bayles intends to perform several songs that he and his wife, Gina, often played while they roamed the park looking for her and her cubs.
A male yearling cub, referred to informally as “Rowdy” or “Spirit,” was with No. 399 when she was killed, but has not been sighted since.
“There is no evidence indicating that it was involved in the collision,” noted Joe Szuszwalak from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Considering the bear’s age and the current season, the yearling has a solid chance of surviving independently, and we do not have plans to capture it at this time.”
On average, about three grizzly bears fall victim to vehicle collisions annually in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, based on research data released by the park. No. 399 marked the second grizzly fatality in the region this year due to a vehicle accident. Authorities have classified her death as accidental, confirming that the driver was not speeding and emerged unscathed.