Famed 27-year-old Grand Teton NP grizzly emerges with cub; oldest griz mom in GYE

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park’s 27-year-old famed mother grizzly bear, No. 399, emerged from her winter den with yet another cub — her 23rd known offspring.

That makes her the oldest documented grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to reproduce, according to Frank van Manen, team leader of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. In addition, 399 has given birth to three known sets of triplets and one set of quadruplets.

Previous records were held by four grizzlies who gave birth at 25 years of age. Based on current data, there’s only a 9% probability that a female grizzly bear in the GYE would reach age 27. For grizzly bear No. 399 to have lived to 27 and give birth is exceptional.

The grizzly bear is so well-known that she has her own Facebook and Twitter accounts.

She was first sighted this spring on May 16 in the north part of the park with a cub sporting a white slash of fur across its chest.

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“Years of concerted conservation efforts have helped bear species thrive through active management and education,” said Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Grand Teton

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