Beloved Grizzly Bear 399 Dies in Accidental Collision Near Grand Teton

The 28-year-old bear, a symbol of wildlife conservation, was struck by a vehicle in Wyoming's Snake River Canyon.

Authorities confirmed that the driver involved in the collision was not speeding or distracted, and the incident was deemed an accident.
Grizzly 399 was the oldest known reproducing female in the Yellowstone ecosystem, having mothered 18 cubs over her lifetime.
The bear's death has saddened wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and conservationists worldwide, who followed her life closely.
Her yearling cub, which was not involved in the accident, is expected to survive independently according to wildlife biologists.
Vehicle collisions with wildlife are not uncommon in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with 49 grizzly bears killed by cars between 2009 and 2023.