"Grizzly 399" was a beloved female grizzly bear for tourists and scientists in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. She passed away after being struck by a car in Wyoming. The bear was often seen close to the roads, attracting crowds and leading to traffic congestion.
The grizzly bear 399 was considered unique, as she typically dened close to the roads, which led some to believe that male bears might behave this way to avoid threatening her cubs. Moreover, there are hypotheses that some male bears may intentionally kill her cubs to drive the female into estrus more frequently.
In a tragic incident, "Grizzly 399" passed away on a fast road in the South Fork of the Snake River near Jackson. The incident did not involve tourists, but the fate of the small cub she had at that time remains unknown.
"Grizzly 399" is considered the largest female grizzly bear known to have reproduced in her territory at Yellowstone National Park. She was regarded as an iconic figure in wildlife, where wildlife enthusiasts eagerly awaited her emergence from hibernation each spring to learn the number of cubs she had given birth to.
"Grizzly 399" was notable for her proximity to the roads and for a specific identity that researchers tagged her with. She also continued to reproduce well into her senior years, which amazed many and made them respect her even more.