### Beloved Grizzly Bear No. 399 Dies in Tragic Accident

A well-known grizzly bear, cherished by generations of tourists, biologists, and wildlife photographers in Grand Teton National Park, has died after being hit by a vehicle in western Wyoming. Grizzly No. 399, who was 28 years old, passed away on Tuesday night in Snake River Canyon, according to park officials. The driver involved in the accident was unharmed. A yearling cub that was with her at the time does not appear to have been injured, though its current whereabouts are unknown.

The exact cause of the collision remains unclear, and officials from Grand Teton National Park and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have no additional information to provide at this time. No. 399 was notable for being the oldest documented reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem, continuing to have cubs well into her older years. Each spring, her followers eagerly awaited her emergence from hibernation to see her new cubs, quickly sharing the joyful news online.

Grizzly No. 399 gained her name from the identity tag attached to her ear by researchers. Unlike many grizzlies, she was often seen close to roads in Grand Teton, attracting numerous onlookers and causing traffic jams. Scientists speculate this behavior may have kept male grizzlies, who can be a threat to cubs, at bay. It is believed that some male grizzlies kill cubs to bring the mother back into heat.

News of No. 399's death spread swiftly on social media, with over a thousand people posting tributes to the bear on a Facebook page dedicated to tracking her and other wildlife in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Referred to as a "magnificent queen" and an "incredible ambassador for her species," many expressed deep sorrow at her passing.

"She has inspired countless visitors into conservation stewardship around the world and will be missed," stated Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

Living through a period of conservation efforts and debates, No. 399 witnessed state officials' attempts to gain control over grizzly management from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stating that the bear numbers had sufficiently rebounded. However, conservation groups have raised concerns, pointing out that climate change threatens vital food sources for the bears, such as whitebark pine cones.

Historically, around 50,000 grizzlies once roamed the western United States, but their numbers dwindled drastically, with only about 100 grizzlies in the Yellowstone region by 1975, the year they were classified as a threatened species. Today, around 1,000 grizzlies live in the Grand Teton and Yellowstone region and surrounding areas in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, remaining under federal protection but periodically reassessed for delisting.

Since 2009, vehicle collisions have claimed the lives of 51 grizzlies in the region, including No. 399, who is the second grizzly bear to die this way in the area this year. "Wildlife vehicle collisions and conflict are unfortunate. We are thankful the driver is okay and understand the community is saddened to hear that grizzly bear 399 has died," said Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Angi Bruce.