Grizzly Bear 399 guides her cubs across Antelope

Flats in Grand Teton National Park

Grizz 399 will be 25 years old in 2020. Grizzly Bears begin the acceleration of their decent about this time of their lives. Someday, this beautiful sow might not step out of her den never to be seen again. Grizzlies can live to a ripe old age of 30 plus years, yet they usually do not because of varying factors (food supply, harsh winters, disease, traps, illegal hunting, they might become problem bears and have to be put down, vehicular collisions or they may perish battling it out with another bear or predator). Grizzly 399 is one of the most intelligent bears to have ever lived. She must be or she wouldn't have lived this long. She is a wonderful mother, having many offspring that survived in her care. She did mate this past spring with one of our infamous boars and we are anxious to see her awake from her long winter nap, hopefully with a new set of cubs.