Grizzly 399, The Queen of the Tetons is Gone
The Queen of the Tetons, grizzly 399, Image Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven.
Roberta Kravette, Co-founder, Destination:Wildlife.
October 22, 2024.
A wildlife icon, Grizzly 399, died when struck by a vehicle on US Highway 26/89 south of Jackson, Wyoming. Unbelievably, Grizzly 399 – the Queen of the Tetons - is gone.
At 28 years old, Grizzly 399 was the oldest recorded successfully reproducing grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem – and possibly anywhere, since grizzly bears are seldom known to successfully breed after their mid-20’s.
Born in 1996, 399 quietly raised broods of cubs while her passionate fans grew into millions worldwide. Early on, 399 learned that she could protect her cubs from grizzly males by leading them to roadsides, eagerly watched by humans but avoided by male grizzlies. This crowd-awing behavior, Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven’s and others’ fabulous images, and the fascinating documentary film by Thomas Mangelsen made her a star and a wildlife icon responsible for creating awareness and a greater understanding of her species.
399’s legacy will live on in the concern for grizzly conservation that she inspired in millions across the globe.
Although the Queen is gone, she will not be forgotten.
A Word from Wildlife Photographer and Team member, Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven
Help Keep Grizzly Bears Safe
Wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven is offering his personal favorite 399 image, “Grizzly 399 in Wildliflowers.” All proceeds go to the non-profit Vital Ground, which protects Grizzly bear habitat and reduces human-bear conflict.
Over the years, our Team Member, Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven (@vangophotos) has kept us up to date on 399 and her offspring, this is what he told us about 399’s passing:
It's sad to realize she won't appear anymore at Pilgrim Flats or swim the river at Jackson Lake dam ... At 28, she lived a full life: a much longer life than most grizzlies get to enjoy. She lived through adversity when her cub Snowy was struck and killed by a car in the national park, but no doubt also enjoyed lots of great moments with her offspring over the years. We'll all miss her greatly. She deserved a natural death, not one caused by us humans. Fingers crossed for her yearling cub, Spirit, who was supposed to get kicked out next spring. She finds herself suddenly on her own, and hopefully, she has the instincts to find herself a safe and suitable den in a few weeks when winter arrives. I hope the national park will honor 399 for the icon that she is.
Remembering the Queen in Four Stories
At this sad time, I was remembering some of Jorn’s stories and looking over his wonderful photography of 399 and her cubs - and I thought you might like to, also. In July 2020, Jorn introduced us to 399 in this beautiful article that asked the question:
Can the Queen of the Tetons Protect Her Heirs?
Dubbed, the Queen of the Tetons, grizzly bear 399 surveys her kingdom. Image: © Vangoidtsenhoven This is one of my favorite images of the grand lady.
Traffic comes to a grinding halt when a grizzly bear appears near a road in Wyoming's Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks. Hundreds of cars get stuck in the gridlock appropriately called "bear jam." It can go on for miles - and hours.
Everyone's heart rate goes up with the hope of spotting one of these legendary predators. Seeing a wild grizzly is the seminal moment of many family vacations in these parks.
Seven Hundred Grizzly Bears, But Only One is Royalty
Among the estimated 730 grizzlies that live in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, there is a single bear that has become nothing less than an international celebrity. This bear, officially identified as "399", is otherwise known as the Queen of the Tetons.
Born in the winter of 1996, grizzly 399 turned 24 this year. Seeing that these bears have ... Read the rest of the story
In November 2021, Jorn wondered if the most famous bears in the world survive all the love and attention being showered on them?
An Uncertain Future for the Grand Teton’s Grizzlies
Grizzly 399 and one of her four spring 2020 cubs. Because of human interference, this “Queen of the Tetons” is teaching her cubs skills that will lead to euthanasia. Image: ©Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven
With winter quickly approaching in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the beloved grizzly bears of Jackson Hole are at risk. And as this past year has reminded us again, when the bears get in trouble, they lose.
Grizzlies are preparing for winter hibernation. At this time of year, bears go into a phase called “hyperphagia," which is defined by an increase in appetite and feeding driven by the biological need to maximize fat reserves—to "fatten up."
Bad Human Behavior Endangers Bears and Humans
In their search for extra food, the bears cover a lot of ground daily, bringing them into frequent contact with us humans. Unfortunately, that bear/human contact, especially when human food rewards or busy roads are involved, typically ends badly for the bears. Sadly, that bad ending includes Jackson Hole's celebrity grizzly bears: grizzly 399 with .... Read the rest of the story.
On June 14th, 2022, 399 we joined 399 on the final tour of the Grand Tetons with her famous quadruplets:
Catching Up With the Grand Teton’s Famous Bears
Grown up, healthy. and ready for the world, Grizzly 399 leads her four miracle cubs on their final tour of the Grand Tetons. Soon they will have to find their own way. Image: ©Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven
"This is what we drove all this way for," I overheard a husband say to his wife. We were in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, admiring a grizzly bear sow and her two yearling cubs grazing peacefully in a patch of willows…..
…. It's been busy here in Jackson Hole since grizzly 399, and her four cubs came out of hibernation in mid-April. Emerging from their den in the National Forest north of the National Park, the Fab Five made their first appearance in Pilgrim Creek, 399's usual area inside the Park borders. But then 399 traveled all over the valley on a kind of 'farewell tour' for the cubs.
They quickly went south into lower elevations and, like last year, exited the National Park and headed towards the towns of Teton Village and ..... Read the rest of the story here
And On July 5th 2023 Jorn introduced us to what would become 399’s last COY (cub of the year), Spirit.
Searching Out the World’s Most Famous Grizzly Bears, Update 2023
399 with her final COY, Spirit on their first spring, walking through the biscuitroot flowers. Image: ©Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven (Vangophotos)
On July 5th 2023 Jorn introduced us to what would become 399’s last COY (cub of the year), Spirit
… Grizzly 399 emerged from hibernation with a new COY ("Cub Of the Year"), setting a new record! The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team leader Frank van Manen told WyoFile earlier that the oldest known age of actual reproduction for a wild grizzly was 25. That means Grizzly 399, aged 27, is the new record holder. She'll be 29 when the cub is ready to leave Mom and move into the world on its own.
Just the fact that Grizzly 399 is still alive is amazing; only 9% of new cubs make it to her age in the wild. But to appear with a new cub in her 27th spring secures 399's status as the celebrity bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Consistency is the Hallmark of This Lady
Grizzly 399 seems to have an alarm clock in her den. Year after year, she has reliably … Read the rest of the story
399 and her COY at home in a lupine patch. Image: ©Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven
At the time of this writing, 399’s yearling cub, with her when she was killed, was missing, but not thought to be hurt. Park Service personnel (and, no doubt, a host of volunteers) are watching for Spirit, 399’s final cub.
Cubs usually spend two years with their mothers before being sent into the world. During that time, they learn how to survive – including how to stay out of trouble by foraging for the right stuff (not human trash), where to find a good hibernation den, and, importantly - how to keep safe from other grizzly bears. For their first two years, their mothers provide vital protection from territorial breeding males that have no qualms about killing cubs or rivals – even young ones suddenly missing a mom. Watchers have not yet determined if Spirit is a male or female, but either way, Spirit is not going to have an easy time of it.
Grizzly 399 will not be forgotten.
She will live forever in our hearts and in the millions of memories and stories we hold dear, the bear conservation initiatives she inspired —and in the understanding we gained about grizzly bears from watching the amazing Queen of the Tetons.