Local sheriff makes shock announcement after death of Yellowstone’s Grizzly 399

A local sheriff in Wyoming made a shocking announcement following the tragic death of the world’s most famous bear.

Grizzly 399, the beloved 28-year-old bear who lived near the famous Yellowstone National Park, drew huge crowds of tourists and photographers to the region – hoping to capture a photo of her in her element with her cubs.

But the driver who ultimately hit and killed the mother bear on Tuesday night was cleared of all wrongdoing, despite heartbroken fans calling on authorities to hold them to account.

“It was truly an accident,” said Lt. John Stetzenback of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Cowboy stands daily.

The mother bear, along with her youngest cub, was struck and killed by a Subaru in western Wyoming’s Snake River Canyon earlier this week, prompting an investigation.

Heartbroken fans have gone to the crash site at mile marker 126 in the Snake River Canyon in western Wyoming to set up memorials and leave flowers in the grizzly’s honor.

But the sheriff’s office concluded that the driver did not break any laws and that no foul play was involved.

Despite angry fans taking to social media to question and ridicule the unnamed driver, evidence collected at the scene points to the devastating reality of a true accident.

When investigating wildlife accident scenes, police look for evidence regarding the speed limit, size of the car, size of the animal, skid marks on the road and damage to the car.

Skid marks may indicate that the driver made an effort to slow down before hitting the animal, with extensive marks indicating a higher speed.

Law enforcement officials said that because there were no markers at the crash site, it appears the driver had been traveling at an appropriate speed — at or very close to the 55 mph speed limit on Highway 89.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Lt. John Stetzenback (left) said after the investigation that ‘it was truly an accident’

The mother bear was with her youngest cub – who survived – at the time of the accident, but the one-year-old grizzly has not been located since her mother’s death

“It’s pretty safe to say the driver was traveling within normal speed limits,” Stetzenbach said Buckrail.

‘They certainly didn’t have excessive speed. They were not careless. They knew very well that there were animals there.’

Although the car had $1,000 in front-end damage, there was not enough damage to indicate that the driver was speeding, especially considering the size and weight of the grizzly.

The Grizzly 399 was struck around 10:30 p.m. near milepost 126, an area where no street lights were visible.

“It’s pretty dark, it’s not lit,” Stetzenback told Cowboy State Daily.

By the time the driver got out of the car to inspect the grizzly’s condition, she was already dead.

Heartbroken fans called on authorities to hold the driver accountable, but evidence at the scene shows the driver did nothing wrong and there was no foul play involved

Normally three bears are killed each year while visiting area roads, and grizzly 399 was the second death this year

He waited at the scene of the collision for police to arrive before the car was later towed away.

“If a vehicle-to-animal call shows that the driver was most likely going the posted speed limit, we generally won’t issue a ticket for something like that,” Stetzenbach told Buckrail.

The mama bear was different from most grizzly bears. She had frequent contact with humanity, despite most of her kind weighing and avoiding humans at all costs. The New York Times reported.

They also avoided raiding trash cans, stealing food from bird feeders or chewing on livestock – behavior that has resulted in the removal of other bears that have become accustomed to humans.

But her interest in visiting roads turned out to be a dangerous act.

Three bears are killed each year while visiting roads in the area. She was the second death this year, the Times said.

It is estimated that Grizzly 399 gave birth to at least 18 cubs over the course of her life and was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in Yellowstone.

The investigation concluded that the driver was not distracted in any way: no levels of intoxication and no evidence to suggest he was texting

It was concluded that the driver was not distracted in any way – no levels of intoxication and no evidence to suggest he was texting.

“The driver was paying 100 percent attention,” Stetzenback told Buckrail. “They drove along carefully, and suddenly it’s there.”

Although it has been determined that the driver did nothing wrong, people can still learn a lesson or two from her catastrophic death — including remembering to pay attention to wildlife while driving in Wyoming at night.

“Fifty-five is a pretty safe speed, but it’s always safer during the day than driving at night,” Stetzenbach told Cowboy State Daily, also noting that he himself usually drives about 15 mph under the speed limit in the area in question. drives.

Her youngest cub, who is only one year old, has not been seen since her mother was killed.

It is estimated that Grizzly 399 gave birth to at least 18 cubs over the course of her life and was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in Yellowstone.

Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins said grizzly bears are an “iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary.”

“Grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the most prominent ambassador for the species. She has inspired countless visitors around the world to pursue conservation and will be missed.”

The mama bear was unlike most grizzly bears: she made frequent contact with humans and roads, despite most of her kind avoiding both whenever possible

There are a few lessons to be learned from her catastrophic death, including keeping wildlife in mind while driving in Wyoming at night

All that is known about the driver is that he was a Wyoming man who was driving west toward Star Valley the night of the crash, Cowboy State Daily reported.

“It wouldn’t be so good for the driver if his ID was out,” Stetzenbach added.

Angi Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said the wildlife collisions are “unfortunate” but said she was “thankful the driver is OK.”

Heartbroken travelers have gone to the crash site to set up memorials and mourn the beloved mother.

“There will be more bears,” Jack Bayles, co-owner of a Jackson-based wildlife tour company, told The Times.

“But there will never be 399 again.”