Wyoming’s favorite grizzlies are lighting up social media again.
No name has stuck for Grizzly 399’s cub in Teton Park. “Spirit” seems to be the most popular at the moment, some wildlife photographers told Cowboy State Daily, but “Uno” and “Rowdy” also have lots of support.
Meanwhile, comment threads are abuzz as word is spreading in Yellowstone that “Jam” is finally separating from her mother, “Raspberry,” at age 3 — a year later than usual.
Is ‘Spirit’ The One?
Grizzly 399 wowed her worldwide fanbase when she emerged from hibernation last month at age 27 with a new cub. That makes her one of the oldest grizzly mommas on record.
A flurry of social media chatter followed, as people debated what the cub’s name should be.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team assigns numbers to the grizzlies it captures for study. Hence, the monikers for 399 and perhaps her best-known offspring, Grizzly 610.
However, it’s up to the public to name grizzlies that aren’t in the official study pool.
Some early suggestions for 399’s cub’s name included “Tuxedo” or “Tux” because of unique white marking on the cub’s chest. But some argued against that, saying that the marking is likely to fade as the cub ages.
“Pearl” and “Miracle” also were suggested.
“Rowdy” had strong odds out of the gate and remained popular Monday, said wildlife photographer Tammy Neufeld of Thayne.
“I’ve heard ‘Rowdy’ from some folks, ‘Uno’ from others, and photographer Tom Mangelsen has picked ‘Spirit,’ and I lean with him,” she said.
Wildlife and conservation photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven also said “Spirit” seems to be running strong with Mangelsen’s stamp of approval.
Mark Perry of Bozeman, Montana — who owns Bridger Peaks Photography — agreed that “Sprit, Rowdy and Uno” seemed to be the three finalists.
A Late Farewell To Mom
Meanwhile, the Bridger Peaks Photography Page was busy after Perry posted that it was apparent that one of Yellowstone’s favorite grizzlies, Raspberry, had finally sent here 3-year-old cub Jam on her way.
The event struck an emotional chord with fans.
“I love these Mother/Daughter photos!! It will be hard not seeing Raspberry and Jam together anymore,” Dale Anne Schutlz Stoner commented.
“I understand it’s nature, but they were such a bonded pair. Just like with Snow. I could see the loneliness in her eyes back then. Good luck Jam!!” wrote Sue Reske.
The mother-cub separation comes about a year later than is usual for Grizzlies. Bear experts, including Wyoming Game and Fish Department large carnivore specialist Dan Thompson, told Cowboy State Daily that cubs usually gain independence at age 2.
Perry is well acquainted with Raspberry’s bear family. He’s followed one of her previous cubs, Snow, since 2015. Snow now has cubs of her own.
Raspberry is the offspring of another famous Yellowstone bear, Blaze.
Blaze was euthanized by wildlife agents in 2015. It was suspected that she had fatally mauled Lance Crosby, 63, of Billings, Montana, and then partially consumed his remains, according to news reports at the time.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
