Headed Home for the Holidays

In the spring of 2020, at the age of 24, Grizzly Bear 399 surprised and thrilled her many fans when she emerged from hibernation with a brood of four new cubs in tow.  Already world famous as a "roadside bear" in Grand Teton National Park, 399 had, over the years, raised three litters of triplets, often viewed by park visitors.  Grizzlies typically have one or two cubs, yet three are rare and four cubs are exceptionally uncommon.

In this image, 399 is on her way towards her den, where she arrived on New Year's day.  The cubs stayed with their mom for 28 months, until they were ready to be on their own.  At press time for this image, Grizzly 399 has had 17 cubs, is grandmother to at least 10, and a great-grandmother to two more cubs.