(StraightShooterNews.com) – In a devastating blow to wildlife conservation, American wilderness symbol beloved Grizzly Bear No. 399 was struck and killed by a vehicle in Wyoming.
This tragic loss not only marks the end of an era but also raises alarming questions about the impact of human encroachment on America’s precious wildlife habitats.
Grizzly Bear 399, a 28-year-old matriarch of Grand Teton National Park, died in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson.
The bear was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the bear’s identity through her ear tags and microchip.
At the time of the incident, Grizzly 399 was traveling with a yearling cub whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Grizzly 399’s legacy extends far beyond her immediate family. Over the years, she raised an impressive 18 cubs, significantly contributing to the local bear population.
Her frequent appearances near roads, while risky, may have been a clever strategy to protect her cubs from male grizzlies, showcasing her remarkable maternal instincts.
Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, “People from around the world have followed grizzly bear 399 for several decades. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.”
Alarmingly, this tragedy is part of a larger trend. From 2009 to 2023, there were 49 grizzly bear fatalities due to vehicle collisions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, averaging 3.3 bears per year.
Two such fatalities, including Grizzly 399, have already occurred in 2024 alone. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective measures to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins also expressed his thoughts about the bear’s death, “The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary. Grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the most prominent ambassador for the species.”
He added, She has inspired countless visitors into conservation stewardship around the world and will be missed.”
While grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region have been federally protected since 1975, debates about their conservation status continue.
The current estimated population of 1,923 grizzlies in the contiguous U.S. represents a recovery from near-extinction, but incidents like this remind us of the ongoing threats these majestic creatures face.
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