Grizzly 610 long lived in the shadow of her famous mother, Grizzly 399, but has become one of Grand Teton National Park’s most famous bears in her own right.
Roughly two months into Wyoming’s bear-watching season, she’s been a no-show.
However, her fans aren’t worried. They say it probably means she has a new cub, or cubs. In which case, she’ll show up next month with her little ones in tow.
What’s more, other prominent mama bears have also been absent from the scene, which means that Grand Teton could be on the cusp of a baby bear boom.
The Usual Time Frame
Wyoming’s grizzlies, along with black bears, usually start emerging from hibernation in late February or early March.
It is almost always large males that emerge first. For instance, Bruno, one of the biggest male grizzlies in Grand Teton, has been spotted a few times on his usual spring walkabout.
As March and April wear on, younger bears, females with juvenile cubs, and females without cubs start to appear.
The last to show up are females with cubs-of-the-year (COY), usually in May.
Research indicates that COY are typically born in January. New grizzly families stay in or near the den until the cubs are big enough to amble along after their mothers.
So, the cubs are about 5 months old by the time tourists and wildlife photographers take delight in seeing them for the first time.
Grizzly cubs usually stay with their mothers for two years, and then take off on their own sometime during their third summer.
610 Is Due For Cubs
Going by the typical schedule, Grizzly 610 is due for another cub, or perhaps a litter, wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen told Cowboy State Daily.
Mangelsen’s numerous photographs of Grizzly 399 played a key role in making her the world’s most famous bear, and he’s also followed Grizzly 610 and her various cubs.
And he’s betting that Grizzly 610 will show up with cubs again.
“She came out with two COYs on May 19, 2019, and three COYs on May 10, 2022. So, she isn’t late (this year),” he said.
Another regular observer of Grizzly 610, wildlife photographer Savannah Rose, expressed similar optimism.
“I’m not concerned at all. I think it means that she has COY and will emerge in May,” she told Cowboy State Daily.
Wildlife photographer Anna Knaeble said there is some lingering concern over how being struck and injured by a vehicle in October 2023 affected Grizzly 610’s long-term health and ability to have more cubs.
However, Grizzly 610 is “one tough cookie,” so fans remain optimistic that she’s not done having cubs, Knaeble said.
Grizzly 610 was born to Grizzly 399, known as “the Queen of the Tetons,” in 2006.
Grizzly 399 was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson in October 2024.
There’s still a chance Grizzly 610 might emerge alone, Knaeble said. She was first spotted on April 16 last year, without cubs. So she’s not that far behind schedule.
Grand Teton Cub Boom?
Wyoming photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven told Cowboy State Daily that Grizzly 610 isn’t the only mama bear that hasn’t shown yet this spring.
“The usual suspects — Grizzly 1063, Grizzly 610, Blondie, Falicia — haven’t shown up yet, and they are typically the roadside bears,” he said. “Some or all of them could have COY, in which case the Tetons will be great for bear viewing, starting in a few weeks."
Knaeble agreed that bear watchers are hopeful for a gaggle of new cubs this spring.
And Grizzly 610 having another litter would add to Grizzly 399’s legacy, and also help seal Grizzly 610’s place as “princess of the Tetons,” she said.
