**Legendary Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Struck by Vehicle in Wyoming**

A renowned grizzly bear, affectionately known by wildlife enthusiasts as Grizzly No. 399, has died after being hit by a vehicle in western Wyoming. The accident occurred on Tuesday night, south of Jackson, along the highway in Snake River Canyon, as reported by Grand Teton National Park officials on Wednesday.

Grizzly No. 399 held a special place in the hearts of many, especially being the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem. With an impressive age of at least 28 years, she defied the odds by continuing to give birth well into her senior years. Every spring, a community of tourists, biologists, and photographers eagerly anticipated her emergence from hibernation to see her latest cubs.

Identified by the ear tag placed by researchers, Grizzly No. 399 was uniquely visible near roads in Grand Teton, frequently causing crowds and traffic jams. This behavior, scientists believe, was a strategic effort to keep male grizzlies away and protect her cubs from potential threats, including infanticide by males seeking to bring the mother back into heat.

During the fatal accident, Grizzly No. 399 was accompanied by a yearling cub. While the cub was believed to be unhurt, its current location remains unknown. Fortunately, the driver involved in the collision was not injured.

"Widlife vehicle collisions are unfortunate, and we are grateful the driver is safe. However, the community is deeply saddened by the loss of Grizzly No. 399," stated Angi Bruce, the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The news of the bear's death reverberated quickly through social media, especially on a popular Facebook page dedicated to tracking wildlife in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. More than 1,000 comments flooded in, referring to Grizzly No. 399 as a queen, a legend, and an ambassador for her species. The outpouring of grief highlighted the bear's significant impact on both people and the local wildlife community, with many expressing concerns for her cub.

Andrea Zaccardi, carnivore conservation legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, articulated the broader implications of this loss. "She was a Yellowstone icon with over 20 cubs and grand cubs. Her passing is a blow to the grizzly bear population and underscores the necessity of maintaining federal protections for these animals."

Though the Yellowstone region's grizzlies have seen conservation success, with their numbers increasing approximately tenfold to around 1,000 since the 1970s, they continue to face significant challenges. Increased interactions with humans and livestock sometimes lead to fatal outcomes for the bears. Misidentification by hunters and defensive killings, coupled with wildlife managers sometimes resorting to lethal measures to protect livestock, reflect ongoing risks for this already vulnerable population.