GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WY — In heartbreaking news for wildlife lovers and Jackson Hole locals, Grizzly 1058 — one of the four cubs from the legendary Grizzly 399’s famed 2020 litter — has been confirmed dead following a vehicle collision inside Grand Teton National Park. His body was discovered roughly 125 yards off U.S. Highway 26 near the Buffalo Fork River, where officials believe he retreated after the impact.
Grizzly 1058 had not been officially seen yet this spring, but he was one of the more independent members of the iconic 2020 litter, which captivated the public and wildlife photographers alike. Park officials believe he had been dead for several days before being found.
A Deadly Pattern: Bears vs. Vehicles in the Parks
Unfortunately, 1058’s death is not an isolated incident. Vehicle strikes are one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths for wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
In Grand Teton National Park, an estimated 75 to 100 large animals are struck by vehicles each year. While that includes moose, elk, and deer, bears, especially high-profile ones like 399 and her offspring, have tragically joined the statistics in recent years.
In Yellowstone National Park, the data is even starker. Between 1989 and 1996, nearly 940 large mammals were killed by vehicles, and the number of grizzly bear fatalities jumped nearly 200% during that span. Across the entire Greater Yellowstone region, an average of three grizzly bears die each year from vehicle collisions. From 2009 to 2023 alone, 49 grizzlies were killed this way.
Park officials have introduced safety measures, including nighttime speed limit reductions and increased roadside signage. Wildlife overpasses and underpasses, used in other national parks to great effect, are also under consideration to reduce these tragic incidents.
🐻 The Fate of the Famous Four
Grizzly 1058 is now the second confirmed casualty from the 2020 litter. His sibling, Grizzly 1057, was euthanized in 2022 after multiple run-ins with humans and property damage. That leaves two cubs from the iconic litter still unaccounted for, and presumably roaming the Tetons or surrounding wilderness.
And of course, the matriarch herself, Grizzly 399, the “Queen of the Tetons”, died last fall after being hit by a vehicle near the Snake River Overlook at the age of 28. Her death sparked national headlines and local mourning.
💡How You Can Help
- Slow down when driving through the parks, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Obey posted speed limits, and be alert for wildlife crossings.
- Report wildlife sightings near roads to park authorities.
The story of Grizzly 399 and her cubs has always been one of survival and resilience, a symbol of wild motherhood in a changing landscape. But their untimely deaths also highlight the growing clash between wildlife and roadways in one of America’s last best places.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
