By the JHWF Staff As wildlife conservation professionals, we remind ourselves to celebrate the successes. Sometimes we get so wrapped into understanding and mitigating the challenges facing wildlife that we feel frustrated. In these moments, it is sometimes in our...
Grizzly 399’s Legacy: Protecting Wildlife on our Roads
Mourning a Legend
The Life and Legacy of Grizzly 399
On the evening of October 22, 2024, a routine commute through the Snake River Canyon turned tragic. Near milepost 126, a grizzly bear and her cub were feeding on an elk carcass when they attempted to cross the road. A commuter traveling at the legal speed limit of 55 mph swerved, narrowly missing the cub but tragically struck and killed the mother. This was no ordinary grizzly—it was 399, the most famous grizzly bear in the world.
The Road Ahead
A post-mortem analysis concluded that the collision was unavoidable. At highway speeds, drivers often have little chance of safely avoiding wildlife that appears suddenly. This heartbreaking incident underscores the critical importance of programs like Give Wildlife a Brake, which aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions through driver awareness and infrastructure improvements.
Give Wildlife a Brake
A Community Commitment to Wildlife Safety
The Give Wildlife a Brake program is a cornerstone initiative of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation (JHWF). Its mission is to protect wildlife and motorists by identifying high-risk areas and implementing strategies to reduce collisions and increase access to critical habitats. Through public education, advocacy for reduced speed limits, and the installation of wildlife crossings, the program seeks to make our roads safer for all.
In the wake of 399’s death, the urgency of this mission has never been clearer. While some collisions may be unavoidable, many can be prevented with collective effort and informed action. By slowing down, staying alert, and supporting infrastructure projects, we can significantly reduce the risks to wildlife and ourselves.
Mitigating Wildlife Collisions
Progress and Hope
One of the program’s recent successes is the completion of wildlife underpasses at the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 390. This busy junction, a key route to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, has historically been one of the nation’s most dangerous for moose. Thanks to the Give Wildlife a Brake program and our partners, this mitigation now provides a safe passage for animals beneath the road. Observers have already reported seeing moose, deer, and other animals using these crossings, offering hope that collisions will decrease over time.
These infrastructure improvements are direct results of community advocacy and the dedicated work of JHWF volunteers who “nature map” collision hotspots to guide where these structures are most needed.
Each year, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation’s Executive Director, Renee Seidler, collaborates with Alyson Courtemanch of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Megan Smith of EcoConnect Consulting LLC to produce the Teton County, WY and Teton County, ID Wildlife-Vehicle Collision (WVC) Database Summary Report. This comprehensive report compiles crucial data on wildlife-vehicle collisions in the region, providing valuable insights that guide efforts to reduce these incidents and protect both wildlife and motorists. By analyzing trends and identifying high-risk areas, the report serves as a critical tool for conservation planning and community safety initiatives.
WVC Hotspots – Moose
WVC Hotspots – Elk
WVC Hotspots –
Mule Deer
Learning from Loss
As we grapple with the loss of Grizzly 399, it’s important to celebrate her extraordinary life. First documented in 2003 when she ventured beyond Yellowstone National Park into the Tetons, she became a symbol of coexistence between humans and wildlife. Over her 28 years, she gave birth to 18 cubs, including the famed foursome of 2020.
Her survival and success were a testament to her intelligence and to the efforts of a community committed to protecting wildlife. Through programs like Give Wildlife a Brake, her life was extended, allowing countless people from around the world to experience the wonder of seeing a grizzly bear in the wild.
A Call to Action
The loss of Grizzly 399 is a profound reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife preservation. Through the Give Wildlife a Brake program, we have the tools and the opportunity to make meaningful changes that protect both animals and people.
Join us in creating a safer future for wildlife and our community. Discover how you can help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and make a lasting impact. Together, let’s give wildlife a brake and protect what matters most.
Written in collaboration with Bruce Pasfield, Board Emeritus, JHWF
