a famous bear grizzly, beloved for decades by countless tourists, biologists and professional wildlife photographers in Grand Teton National Park, died after being struck by a vehicle in western Wyoming.
The 399th grizzly bear died Tuesday night on a federal highway in the Snake River Canyon south of Jackson, park officials said in a statement Wednesday.
The bear, at least 28 years old, was the oldest known breeding female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Every spring, wildlife enthusiasts waited for her to emerge from her den to see how many bear cubs she had given birth to over the winter.
Named after the identification that researchers placed in her ear, she amazed everyone by continuing to reproduce until an advanced age. Unlike many grizzly bears, she was often seen near Grand Teton roads, drawing crowds and causing traffic jams.
Scientists speculate that this type of behavior kept the males away so that they would not pose a threat to their cubs. Some believe that male grizzly bears kill cubs to make the mother go into heat.
A one-year-old cub was with the bear when it was hit by a vehicle, and although it is not believed to have been injured, the cub’s whereabouts are unknown.according to the statement.
The driver was uninjured. No further details about the crash were released at this time.
“Collisions and conflicts between vehicles and wild animals are unfortunate. “We are grateful that the driver is safe and understand that the community is saddened to learn that grizzly bear 399 has died.”said Angi Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in a statement.
News of the bear’s death spread quickly on a Facebook page that monitors the female and other animals in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Several hundred people posted comments describing her as a queen, a legend and an ambassador for grizzly bears. They were heartbroken and devastated by his death, noting it was a tragic loss. Many expressed concern for their pup.