Grizzly 399 Has One Cub of the Year, Other Bears Also Active in Grand Teton National Park
This news story about grizzly bear 399 and her cub of the year, and other bears in Grand Teton, is based on a May 18, 2023, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
As spring progresses and wildlife becomes increasingly active, Grand Teton National Park management asks visitors to be vigilant and be “bear aware” when exploring the park.
“Spring is here and grizzly and black bears have emerged from their dens and are active inside Grand Teton National Park and across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE),” the park said in a statement.
Those bears include grizzly bear #399, arguably the most famous grizzly in the world. She even has her own Instagram account.
Grand Teton National Park’s Famous Grizzly Bear 399 Has One Cub of the Year
On May 16, grizzly bear #399 was spotted in the north part of Grand Teton National Park, for the first time this year, with one “cub of the year,” also referred to as COY.
According to Frank van Manen, team leader of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, grizzly bear #399 is the oldest documented grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to reproduce at the age of 27.
Previous records were held by four grizzlies who gave birth at 25 years of age. Based on current data, there’s only a 9% probability that a female grizzly bear in the GYE would reach age 27. For grizzly bear #399 to have lived to 27 and given birth is exceptional.
Last year, grizzly bear #399 successfully weaned no fewer than four cubs, as we reported here.
“Years of concerted conservation efforts have helped bear species thrive through active management and education,” said Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Grand Teton National Park. “Grizzly bear #399 is an ambassador for her species and visitors travel from all over the world to see her and her cubs, so we must continue to implement the best bear safety practices for bears to thrive in the GYE.”
Bears Are Active in Grand Teton National Park, Park Warns Visitors
Seeing a bear in its natural habitat is a life-changing experience that continues to inspire people to want to help the species succeed.
Living and recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on the part of locals and visitors alike to keep both bears and humans safe.
As the grizzly bear population expands, bears continue to disperse across their historical range, but also into more populated areas. All of Teton County is now in occupied grizzly bear habitat.
Park visitors are asked to secure, or properly store, all attractants that could draw a bear into a campsite or developed area. Ensuring bears do not obtain unnatural foods is crucial to bear and human safety.
Once a bear becomes conditioned to human food, risks to the bear and humans increase. Whether you live here or are visiting the area, please do your part to help protect bears.
Discover the best places to see bears in Grand Teton National Park here!
Bear Safety
For information on how to stay safe when recreating in bear country, I’d like to point you to the following articles:
More About Grand Teton National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Grand Teton Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Grand Teton National Park
- Where to See Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park
- Best Views of the Tetons
- Names of Major Teton Range Peaks (With Photos)
- Accommodation
Cub-Of-The-Year. The other grizzly moms must be fuming😂
I am an animal rights activist and a grizzly bear inthusiast. I am so amazed by bears. But respect them as well. They are so huge and strong.