Internet Mourns Tragic Passing of 'Queen of the Tetons' Grizzly Bear 399

The tragic incident happened on October 22 on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon.

As of this reporting, CBS News states that the car was not speeding and authorities are calling the death an accident.

"The bear stepped right out into the road," Lincoln County Sheriff's Patrol Lt. John Stetzenbach was reported to have said. Stetzenbach explained the driver "was unable to brake in time to avoid the bear, and the collision occurred."

Related: Grizzly Bear Approaches Moose Calves and Mama Comes to Their Rescue

The police officer said the collision "truly was an accident" and reiterated that the driver wasn't speeding and wasn't distracted. No citation has been issued and the Subaru the person was driving had to be towed from the scene. The identity of the driver hasn't been released to the public.

According to a press release from the National Parks Service, the bear was identified through her ear tags and microchip. At the time of her death, the mama bear had a yearling cub with her.

Grizzly no. 399 was special for many reasons. For one, at 28 years old she was "the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem," Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in the press release.

Every spring, grizzly lovers would impatiently wait to see how many cubs she'd given birth to over the winter, CBS News reported. Over the years, people counted 18 known cubs over eight litters. In 2020, the bear was known to have four cubs in her litter. The bear was a fixture on the internet too.

“People from around the world have followed grizzly bear 399 for several decades," Cooley explained.

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

The death is tragic. As Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins added, Grizzly no. 399 was simply one of a kind.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary," Jenkins said. "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."

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