GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — The remains of grizzly bear 399 have been returned to the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), according to an announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and GTNP.
Grizzly 399’s ashes were brought to the Pilgrim Creek area on Friday, Nov. 1, following “a respectful cremation,” according to the announcement. Pilgrim Creek was where grizzly 399 “spent much of her life,” the agencies said.
“399 will always be part of this special place,” GTNP Superintendent Chip Jenkins said in the announcement. “However, there is still work to do to ensure her descendants and all grizzly bears continue to thrive in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It’s up to all of us to make sure they do.”
The agencies said they were aware of the public interest surrounding the fate of 399’s body following her death in a vehicle collision on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
“Grizzly bear #399 captivated people around the world, inspiring many to learn about the conservation of this important species,” USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator Hilary Cooley said in the announcement. “We received an outpouring of appreciation for #399 and aimed to honor these sentiments in handling her remains.”
Also included in the announcement was an update regarding 399’s yearling; the agencies noted that it has not yet been located, “though there is no indication it was struck in the collision. Given the bear’s age and the time of year, the yearling has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it.”
The agencies stated that the USFWS and the National Park Service would be continuing to “find ways to honor the legacy of grizzly bear 399 through education and conservation efforts.” They encouraged fans of 399 to learn more about coexisting with grizzly bears at https://igbconline.org/be-bear-aware/.
