Remembering the world's most famous grizzly, Bear 399

Bear 399, the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the whole greater Yellowstone ecosystem, was killed on Tuesday in a vehicle collision near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She died close to Grand Teton National Park, a place she called home and where she was known as "The Queen."

Bear 399, named after the tag number researchers gave to her when she was first captured, was the most incredible grizzly bear. At 28 years old — and bears can live to be about 35 in the wild — Bear 399 was still having cubs as a great grandmother. She had 18 cubs over her lifetime, many of them going on to have families of their own.

Bear 399 was famous — really famous. She caused huge traffic jams as crowds chased to roadsides to get a glimpse of her each year. News outlets reported on the number of cubs she emerged with in the spring. She has her own Facebook page and even the renowned English primatologist Jane Goodall follows her! She was a true and peaceful ambassador for grizzly bears everywhere. Her life story goes to show the difference one individual can make — even if you're a bear.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reported that Bear 399 was struck on a highway in the Snake River Canyon. She was identified through ear tags and a microchip, and had a yearling cub with her. The cub hasn’t been found, but the search is on. The driver of the vehicle is OK.

Listen to Chris Morgan's full tribute to Bear 399 here.

Recently on our podcast THE WILD, we’ve told many stories of national parks, and roads, and their effect on all wildlife; it's no different for the mightiest of them all — even grizzly bears. Last week, I was in Yellowstone National Park with my producer Lucy Soucek. We drove through 399’s backyard and thought of her. We even have an interview lined up with my friend, the legendary photographer Tom Mangelsen, who’s tracked and photographed 399’s life for nearly 20 years. I know he and so many others will be devastated by this news. We'd already planned to talk to him later in the season about his special relationship with 399; now there’s even more reason to have that conversation.

Her legacy will live on forever among the grizzly bears that I hope will always wander the land that is still wild enough for them. Rest in peace 399, and thank you for all the knowledge you brought us from your world.

Chris Morgan is wildlife researcher and host of THE WILD, produced by KUOW and Chris Morgan Wildlife.