“Most photographed bear in the world” Grizzly 399 killed in car accident

Grizzly 399, a famous grizzly bear beloved by countless professional wildlife photographers for decades, has died in a car accident.

Known only by her research number, 399 has been a fixture at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming since 2007 – and has become the most famous and photographed grizzly bear in the world.

However, park officials announced that 399 people died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon south of Jackson, Wyoming, on Tuesday evening.

399 was believed to be 28 years old and one of the oldest known grizzly bears still reproducing.

The bear's identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip.

Park officials say 399 had a one-year-old cub with her. While the cub is not believed to have been injured, its whereabouts are unknown.

Grand Teton and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials say they are monitoring the area.

“Collisions and conflicts with wildlife vehicles are unfortunate. We are grateful that the driver is OK and understand that the community is saddened to hear that Grizzly Bear 399 has died,” Angi Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said in a statement.

A grizzly who was the “major seller of Canon lenses.”

Among the estimated 730 grizzly bears that live in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, 399 have become celebrities among wildlife photographers.

Grizzly 399 was born in Grand Teton National Park in 1996 The Washington PostBy the mid-2000s, several photographers had made careers after 399.

Chris Servheen, former grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, even joked that 399 is a “great seller of Canon lenses.”

Every spring, wildlife photographers eagerly waited for the 400-pound grizzly bear to emerge from its den to see how many cubs it had given birth to over the winter.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem exceptional. Grizzly bear 399 was perhaps the species' most prominent ambassador, said Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Grand Teton National Park.

“She inspired countless visitors to support conservation around the world and we will miss her.”

Earlier this year, acclaimed wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen lost an extraordinary $20,000 lawsuit over a speeding ticket that arose after he slowed his car to check on an injured 399.

Photo credit: Header photo via NPS.