After more than a week of debate over how to close the story of the world’s most famous bear, Grizzly 399 has been cremated and her ashes scattered in the place she called home.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced early Friday that 399 had been cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park.
The much-beloved bear was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson on Oct. 22.
Pilgrim Creek was where Grizzly 399 and the 18 cubs she raised over the years were frequently most visible. And many of her most dedicated followers had pushed for her ashes to be scattered there. They balked at the idea of her hide being used for a full-body taxidermy mount in a museum.
Jackson local Sue Cedarholm, who along with renowned wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen followed 399 for more than 20 years, was pleased to hear about the choice to cremate Grizzly 399 and scatter her ashes.
“I think it’s incredible,” she told Cowboy State Daily, extending her congratulations to the FWS, National Park Service and other agencies and parties involved in the decision.
She said that Friday was a gorgeous, crisp day in the Jackson area, fitting for the occasion of 399 being put to rest.
“It’s perfect day for her to go back to the earth. We have a fresh layer of snow and it’s beautiful,” Cedarholm said.
“It’s also a little sad, because this means that she’s really gone,” she added.
Done Out Of Respect
Because grizzlies in the Lower 48 remain under federal protection, the FWS is the agency primarily in charge of the bears.
That’s why FWS took possession of 399’s remains after she was killed, setting off speculation and debate over what would or should be done with the remains.
The decision to cremate 399 and scatter her ashes in Pilgrim Creek was done out of respect for the much-beloved bear, according to a statement from FWS.
“U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, honored the legacy of grizzly bear #399 by returning her ashes to the Pilgrim Creek area of the park, where she spent much of her life,” according to the agency.
“Following a respectful cremation, grizzly #399’s remains were brought back to Grand Teton National Park, recognizing the connection grizzly #399 had to the area and the interest she inspired among visitors to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” FWS stated.
“399 will always be part of this special place,” added Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins in the FWS statement. “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."
Spirit Assumed OK
Since 399 was killed, her yearling cub Spirit hasn't been located, the agency reports.
"Given the bear's age and the time of year, the yearlng has a strong chance of surviving independently, and there are no current plans to capture it," FWS says in the statement.
Bear Facts
Fish and Wildlfie also provided some facts about Grizzly 399 and grizzlies in general in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem:
• At 28 years old, she was one of only 12 known grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to reach the age of 28 or older, representing 0.6% of all bears documented and aged by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team since 1973 as part of the long-term research program.
• She’s the oldest documented grizzly bear to reproduce in the GYE (her yearling was born in 2023 when she was 27 years old).
• She produced 18 offspring over her lifetime.
• Long-lived and successful mothers like 399 are important drivers of the health of this grizzly bear population.
• From 2009-2023, there have been 49 grizzly bear deaths from vehicle collisions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (all sex and age classes combined).
• Average number of grizzly bear mortalities in the GYE due to vehicle collisions during 2009-2023 is 3.3 bears/year.
• Including 399, there have been two grizzly bear mortalities from vehicle strikes in the GYE this year.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
