MOOSE, Wyo. — A tragic incident involving a cherished member of a well-loved grizzly bear family in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park occurred recently when a 5-year-old male bear was killed by a vehicle. Wildlife authorities reported this week that the young bear met the same unfortunate fate as his mother just a few months prior. This bear, tagged as Grizzly No. 1058, was discovered lifeless approximately 125 yards from Highway 26 near the Buffalo Fork River on a recent Tuesday. He was one of four cubs born in May 2020 to Grizzly No. 399, a grizzly often described as the most famous in the world due to her popularity among tourists, wildlife photographers, and researchers.
Grizzly No. 399 was well-admired for years and became a significant attraction in the park before she was fatally struck by a vehicle in October on a highway just south of Jackson, Wyoming. Park officials confirmed the familial ties between No. 399 and No. 1058 through wildlife tags. Although No. 1058 was sighted intermittently in the park after being weaned in 2022, he had not been reported this spring. It was as if he had quietly retreated to a thicket of willows following the collision, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Park officials speculated that he might have been deceased for a few days before being found.
Grizzly No. 399 was notable not only for her fame but also for her age; at 28, she was the oldest female grizzly still reproducing within the Yellowstone ecosystem. Annually, wildlife aficionados eagerly watched for her emergence each spring, eager to learn about her latest offspring. Her prolific presence resulted in a total of 18 known cubs across eight different litters, including the notable quartet in 2020. She was a substantial figure, standing 7 feet tall and weighing approximately 400 pounds. Her adorned ear tag, a product of research identification, became a symbol of her significance in the park.
Frequently spotted near the roads of Grand Teton, No. 399 not only captured the imaginations of many but also often caused traffic clogs as onlookers gathered to catch a glimpse. In the unfortunate event that led to her demise, the driver involved was not exceeding speed limits, leading officials to classify her death as an accident. However, the park authorities have so far withheld further information regarding the circumstances of the crash that resulted in the loss of No. 1058.