Grand Teton Grizzly Fatally Struck By Vehicle Just Months After His Mother

A grizzly bear was found dead Tuesday in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, and officials say it was struck by a vehicle.

The National Park Service said Grand Teton National Park law enforcement rangers found the dead grizzly along Highway 26 east of the Buffalo Fork River. They launched an investigation in coordination with wildlife rangers, and determined the bear was struck by a vehicle before it moved to a patch of willows about 125 yards from the road and died of its injuries.

The bear was identified by its ear tags and PIT tag as GB1058, a 5-year-old male member of a well-known grizzly family. Grizzly No. 1058 was one of four cubs to emerge from their den in May 2020 with their mother, Grizzly No. 399, considered the world’s most famous grizzly bear.

Grizzly No. 399 was herself struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson, Wyo., in October 2024. There was an outpouring of grief from the biologists, wildlife photographers and even tourists who had gotten to know her over the decades. Grizzly No. 399 was the oldest known reproducing female in the Yellowstone ecosystem at 28 years old.

Wildlife officials said Grizzly No. 1058 appeared to be in good condition for his age and time of year before his death, which may have been “several days” before he was found. His remains were returned to the landscape in Grand Teton National Park.

Park officials are warning motorists to watch out not only for bears but for elk, deer, moose, foxes and other wildlife that can be found on or near the park’s roads. Drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits, which are reduced at night, and to use extra caution at times of low visibility such as dawn and dusk.