Vigil set for living legend Grizzly 399, beloved 28-year-old Grand Teton bear fatally struck by car
The popular grizzly Grand Teton bear who was fatally struck by a car last month will be mourned by the public this weekend with a vigil in western Wyoming.Grizzly No.399 and her ever-growing brood was a beloved favorite of tourists visiting Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park for nearly 30 years before her untimely death on Highway 29/28 on Oct.
22.The well-photographed mama bear’s memory will be honored Saturday night in Jackson, where dozens will brave the cold temperatures to attend a candlelight ceremony.Even more viewers are expected to tune in online.“She was a living legend, and she became this ambassador for her species and a kind of rallying symbol for people working to conserve American public lands,” said Jack Bayles, a wildlife tour guide who is organizing the ceremony.Mourners will include wildlife photographers, locals and biologists who will share their memories of the 28-year-old grizzly, who was often snapped near the more foot-trafficked areas of the national park.Grizzly No.399 was even dubbed “Queen of the Tetons” by the PBS documentary, and over 60,000 people kept up with her adventures on Instagram.Grizzly 399 was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and was single-handedly credited with helping the grizzly population grow from just over 100 in the 1970s to around 1,000 today.She had 18 known cubs in eight litters, and some of her offspring have been spotted with cubs of their own.Grizzly 399’s ashes were spread in the Pilgrim Creek area of the Grand Teton National Park this week, according to park officials.“399 will always be part of this special place,” said park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.“However, there is still work to do to ensure her descendants and all grizzly bears continue to thrive in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
It’s up to all of us to make sure they do.”Grizzlies are federally protected, but are no longer considered endangered species – though their en...