GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — Grizzly 1058 was killed in a vehicle strike on Tuesday, May 6, within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), the park has confirmed.
The news comes six months after Grizzly 399, mother of 1058, was killed in a vehicle collision.
GTNP stated that its law enforcement rangers found a deceased grizzly bear on Tuesday along Highway 26, east of the Buffalo Fork River.
“The investigation indicated the bear was hit by a vehicle and made it to a patch of willows about 125 yards from the road where it succumbed to its injuries,” GTNP’s press release reads. “The bear may have been deceased for several days.”
The bear was identified using ear tags and a tracking tag. GTNP confirms the bear was a 5-year-old male that appeared to be “in good condition for his age and the time of year.”
“The bear’s remains were put back onto the landscape in Grand Teton National Park,” GTNP’s statement reads.
Grizzly 1058 was one of Grizzly 399’s world-famous quadruplets, the cubs that charmed onlookers when they emerged in 2020 and beyond. Another member of that litter, Grizzly 1057, was euthanized in 2022 following multiple conflicts.
GTNP reminds visitors to watch for wildlife when driving through the park and to observe these guidelines:
- Obey the posted speed limit and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles.
- Use caution and slow down, especially at dawn, dusk and at night when visibility is reduced.
- Follow the nighttime speed limit of 45 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 26/89/191. The reduced speed limit gives drivers and wildlife more time to react.
- Pay attention to the surroundings. Speeding is not the only cause of wildlife collisions; park wildlife are often hit because drivers are distracted.
- Call Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 to report wildlife-vehicle collisions, or harassment of wildlife in the park
This is a developing story. Buckrail will provide updates as information becomes available.
