The Internet is mourning the tragic passing of ‘Queen of the Tetons’ Grizzly Bear 399

It’s a sad day for Grizzly bear fans everywhere. Grizzly no. 399, the mother bear that won hearts all over the internet, was fatally struck by a car driving past Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. During his lifetime, the Grizzly was known as the “Queen of the Tetons.”

The tragic incident occurred on October 22 on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon.

Based on this reporting, CBS News states that the car was not speeding and authorities are calling the death an accident.

“The bear stepped right into the road,” Lincoln County Sheriff’s Patrol Lt. said. John Stetzenbach have said. Stetzenbach explained that the driver “could not brake in time to avoid the bear, and the collision occurred.”

Related: Grizzly bear approaches moose calves and mom comes to rescue them

The police officer said the collision “was truly an accident” and reiterated that the driver was not speeding and was not distracted. No report was made and the Subaru the person was driving had to be towed from the scene. The identity of the driver has not been made public.

According to a press release from the National Parks Service, the bear was identified by its ear tags and microchip. At the time of her death, the mother bear had a one-year-old cub with her.

Grizzly no. 399 was special for many reasons. First, at age 28, she was “the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in the press release.

Every spring, grizzly enthusiasts eagerly waited to see how many cubs she had delivered during the winter, CBS News reported. Over the years, people counted 18 known cubs spread across eight litters. In 2020, the bear was known to have four cubs in her litter. The bear was also a permanent fixture on the internet.

“People from all over the world have been following grizzly bear 399 for decades,” Cooley explains.

“Wildlife collisions and conflicts are unfortunate,” said Angi Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “We are grateful that the driver is doing well and understand that the community is saddened to hear of the death of grizzly bear 399.”

Death is tragic. As Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins added, Grizzly No. 399 was simply one of a kind.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that makes the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem so special,” says Jenkins. “Grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the most prominent ambassador for the species. She has inspired countless visitors around the world to conservation and will be missed.”

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us further YouTube for more fun videos. Or share your own adorable pet with submit a videoand sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.