History of Grizzly 399 in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 25, 2024

Grizzly 399 was a famous American grizzly bear residing in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Known for her frequent sightings, she attracted a large following of wildlife enthusiasts, including photographers and tourists. Her popularity led to the creation of dedicated social media accounts documenting her life, further amplifying her fame within the realm of wildlife observation.

1973: Endangered Species Act Protects Grizzly Bears

In 1973, the Endangered Species Act provided protection to grizzly bears, helping the declining population rebound. The act aided in the growth of the grizzly population in the contiguous United States.

1996: Birth of Grizzly 399

Grizzly 399 was born in a den in Pilgrim Creek, Wyoming, in the winter of 1996.

2001: Grizzly 399 Fitted with Radio-Collar

In 2001, Grizzly 399 was captured and fitted with a radio-collar by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team as part of their long-term research project.

2007: Grand Teton Wildlife Brigade Formed to Manage Human-Bear Interactions

The Grand Teton Wildlife Brigade was created in 2007 due to the increasing number of visitors coming to see Grizzly 399 and her cubs. The brigade's purpose is to ensure the safety of both the animals and the people.

2011: Grizzly 399 and Daughter 610 Both Have Cubs, One Adopted by 610

In 2011, Grizzly 399 had triplets while her daughter, Grizzly 610, had twins. Due to 399's advanced age, scientists were concerned, but Grizzly 610 adopted one of her mother's triplets.

2011: Grizzly Bear Attacks and Management in Yellowstone

In 2011, a mother bear in Yellowstone National Park fatally mauled a hiker who got too close, highlighting the potential dangers of human-bear interactions. That same year, Grizzly 610, Grizzly 399's daughter, charged at tourists who approached too closely on two separate occasions.

2011: Social Media Increases Popularity of Grizzly 399, Leading to Management Challenges

In 2011, park ranger Kate Wilmot highlighted the increasing challenges of managing human-bear interactions due to social media, which had amplified the popularity of Grizzly 399 and drawn larger crowds eager for close encounters.

2011: Grizzly 399 and Cubs Cause Traffic Jams in Grand Teton National Park

The presence of Grizzly 399 and her three cubs near a road in central Grand Teton National Park in 2011 caused traffic to come to a halt in both directions for miles.

2015: Grizzly 399 Gains Social Media Fame

By 2015, Grizzly 399 had gained significant attention on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, further solidifying her status as a well-known grizzly bear.

2015: Grizzly 399 Attracts Large Following of Photographers

By 2015, the number of photographers following Grizzly 399 grew to approximately 40-50, solidifying her status as a popular attraction in Grand Teton National Park.

2015: Book Showcases Grizzly 399 and Her Progeny

In 2015, a book titled "Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek," featuring photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen, was published, highlighting Grizzly 399 and her cubs.

May 10, 2016: Grizzly 399 Emerges from Hibernation with Cub After Hunter's Claim

Grizzly 399, feared dead after a hunter claimed to have killed her, emerged from hibernation on May 10, 2016, with a white-faced cub in tow.

2016: Grizzly 399's Cub 'Snowy' Killed in Hit-and-Run

Grizzly 399's only cub of 2016, nicknamed 'Snowy', was struck and killed by a car in Grand Teton National Park in June 2016. The incident was investigated as a potential hit-and-run.

May 16, 2017: Grizzly 399 Gives Birth at an Unusually Late Age

In 2017, Grizzly 399, older than the typical breeding age for brown bears, was seen with two new cubs following her in a spring snowstorm.

2017: Grizzly 399 Gives Birth to Twins, Including Cub 964

Grizzly 399 gave birth to twins in 2017, one of which was later numbered 964.

2017: Grizzly Bears Removed from Endangered Species List, Raising Concerns for Grizzly 399

In 2017, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed grizzly bears from the endangered species list and handed over their management outside of national parks to individual states, including Wyoming. This decision raised concerns about Grizzly 399, as she dens outside of the protected parks and could be vulnerable to hunting.

May 23, 2018: Wyoming Approves Grizzly Bear Hunt

On May 23, 2018, the Wyoming wildlife commission voted to approve a grizzly bear hunt, the first in 44 years. The hunt was planned for September 15 to November 15, 2018.

July 2018: Photographer Wins Hunting Tag for Grizzly 399

In July 2018, wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen was high enough in a hunting lottery to receive a tag to potentially hunt Grizzly 399.

2018: End of Radio Telemetry Monitoring for Grizzly 399

Researchers stopped monitoring Grizzly 399 via radio telemetry in 2018, as she was residing in an area where she could be easily observed.

2019: Grizzly 399's Offspring 964 Relocated to Yellowstone

One of Grizzly 399's 2017 twins, numbered 964, was relocated to Yellowstone in 2019.

May 2020: Children's Book About Grizzly 399 Published

"Grizzly 399: The Story of a Remarkable Bear," a children's book by Sylvia M. Medina, illustrated by Morgan Spicer, and with photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen, was published in May 2020.

May 2020: Grizzly 399 Observed with Four Cubs

In mid-May 2020, Grizzly 399 was observed with her largest brood to date, four new cubs born the previous winter.

May 21, 2020: Grizzly 399 Emerges from Hibernation with Four Cubs

On May 21, 2020, a wildlife photographer saw Grizzly 399 emerge from hibernation with her largest brood to date, four cubs, in Pilgrim Creek.

July 2020: Court Upholds Protection for Greater Yellowstone Grizzlies

In July 2020, a federal court upheld a previous ruling that restored protection to grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including Grizzly 399.

March 2021: Grizzly Bears Remain Listed as Threatened

In March 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended no change to the threatened status of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states under the Endangered Species Act.

April 2021: Sequel to Grizzly 399 Book Published

A sequel to the children's book about Grizzly 399, titled "Grizzly 399's Hibernation Pandemonium," was published in April 2021, focusing on her new cubs.

May 16, 2023: Grizzly 399 Emerges from Hibernation with Single Cub, Setting Record

On May 16, 2023, Grizzly 399, at the age of 26 or 27, emerged from hibernation with a single cub in the Pilgrim Creek area. This made her the oldest female bear to reproduce in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

2023: Grizzly 399's Offspring and Grand-Offspring Spotted with Cubs

In 2023, Grizzly 399's offspring 964 and grand-offspring 926 (daughter of 610) were each spotted with twins.

October 22, 2024: Death of Grizzly 399

Grizzly 399 died on October 22, 2024. She was a popular grizzly bear living in Grand Teton National Park and followed by many photographers and tourists.