The Queen of the Tetons is getting the royal tribute she deserves.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) announced plans to install a larger-than-life sculpture of Grizzly 399 on its Sculpture Trail in fall 2026. The monument will depict the iconic grizzly surveying the landscape while standing protectively over her four cubs, a nod to the beloved bear’s reputation for both strength and tenderness.
Renowned wildlife sculptor Jocelyn Russell, who created the towering Secretariat monument and over sixty other public works, has been selected to lead the Grizzly 399 Legacy of Love Project.
“This is more than a sculpture. It’s a statement of love, legacy, and the bond between people and the wild,” said Russell, who will be working with her team of artists Michael Dubail, Kristen Douglas-Seitz, and Colleen Moore.
The sculpture will join over 30 works already on NMWA’s ¾-mile Sculpture Trail, which winds along a scenic bluff overlooking the National Elk Refuge. Designed by award-winning landscape architect Walter Hood, the trail serves as an open-air gallery that merges art, wildlife, and the stunning landscape of Jackson Hole.
Executive Director Steve Seamons noted the community’s strong desire to honor Grizzly 399 following her passing.
“The question was never if the Museum should honor 399, but how,” Seamons said. “This sculpture will generate wonder for generations to come while educating the public about 399’s compelling story of conservation and coexistence.”
Over her remarkable 28-year life, Grizzly 399 raised 18 cubs, often near roadsides in Grand Teton National Park, drawing worldwide attention for her resilience, visibility, and calm demeanor around humans. Her legacy lives on in her offspring and soon, in bronze.
The Grizzly 399 Legacy of Love Project is currently raising funds for the creation and installation of the monument. Donations are tax-deductible through Angels Without Wings, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. To support the project or learn more, visit 399monument.com.
The unveiling is planned for fall 2026, a moment sure to draw wildlife lovers, artists, and admirers from across the region.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
