World’s Most Famous Grizzly Bear Family Charms Hearts
In the wilds of Wyoming, a remarkable grizzly bear family has garnered the affection of millions and reshaped our perception of these powerful predators. Known as ‘Grizzly 399,’ this mother bear and her cubs have captured the hearts of thousands, even causing traffic jams as eager onlookers gather for a glimpse of them.
Award-winning photographer and conservationist, Thomas D. Mangelsen, has been the family’s devoted chronicler for 17 years, sharing their remarkable story through a newly published photo book, Grizzly 399: The World’s Most Famous Mother Bear.
One defining feature of Grizzly 399 is her remarkable tolerance for human presence. Even amid ‘bear jams’ with crowds of up to a thousand people, she displays extraordinary intelligence, often choosing to bypass the commotion by moving around the gathering.
Living near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in Wyoming, Grizzly 399 and her cubs are celebrated as the world’s most renowned grizzly bear family. Mangelsen’s book offers vivid portrayals of their lives, showcasing Grizzly 399’s motherly instincts and her ability to navigate the roads surrounding the parks. She even demonstrates road safety by checking both ways before crossing.
Mangelsen dedicates hours each day, over several months every year, to observe the family from a safe distance, capturing their lives from the roadside. He emphasizes the potential dangers of venturing too close to bears in the wild, especially those with cubs or near a carcass. However, he also dispels the misconception that grizzly bears are inherently aggressive towards humans, noting that they fear us as much as we fear them.
Grizzly 399, at around 27 years old (an impressive age for a wild grizzly), has uniquely challenged this misconception. Through her actions and emotions, she has shown the world her remarkable qualities as a mother. Watching her play with her cubs, people realize she is not the menacing figure often portrayed in popular media.
Grizzly bears, like humans, experience a range of emotions, such as joy, fear, pain, and anger, Mangelsen explains. Their behaviors, though distinct from ours, bear a striking resemblance to human emotions.
Mangelsen has been an eyewitness to the family’s highs and lows, from the heartbreaking loss of a cub to a hit-and-run incident, where Grizzly 399 displayed profound grief, to her daring rescue of another cub washed away in a creek. Amidst these challenges, he has also witnessed moments of pure joy as the family interacts with boundless energy.
One of the most significant threats to these bears is hunting, which can occur with special permits. However, the fame of Grizzly 399 and her family is serving as a powerful advocate for the protection of this endangered species. As Mangelsen aptly puts it, “She’s a miracle bear.”
In the heart of the Wyoming wilderness, this extraordinary grizzly bear family continues to captivate and inspire all who have the privilege of witnessing their remarkable journey.