Mother grizzly bear fatally struck by vehicle in Wyoming National Park

A female grizzly bear named “399” was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking with her cub in Grand Teton National Park on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred on Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon, which is south of Jackson, Wyoming.

National Park Service officials said the driver of the vehicle is OK, but the whereabouts of 399's 1-year-old cub are unknown. They added that the cub may not have been involved in the incident.

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Mama bear and her cub.

(NPS/FOX Weather)

Grizzly bear 399, known by her research number, was 28 years old and one of the most famous grizzly bears.

“People around the world have been tracking grizzly bear number 399 for several decades,” said Hilary Cooley, grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

She noted that at age 399, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, female grizzly bears are able to reproduce starting at about 4 years old and typically stop reproducing around age 25.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem exceptional,” said Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Grand Teton National Park. “Grizzly bear 399 was perhaps the species' most prominent ambassador. She inspired countless visitors around the world to engage in conservation and we will miss her.”

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The NPS said vehicle collisions with wildlife are unfortunately not uncommon. They are working with state and local authorities to learn more about the events.