"Grizzly Bear 399 is quite possibly one of the world's most famous grizzly bears, especially in the world of wildlife photography. Grizzly Bears are often named by the number assigned by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST). According to the park rangers, Grizzly 399 turned 24 years old in 2020. Life expectancy for most grizzly bears is around 25. So not only were they pleased to see her come back out in the spring of 2020, but everyone was amazed that she arrived with 4 COY (cubs-of-the-year).
Grizzly Bear 399 has had cubs arriving every other year or every third year throughout her life, but never 4 cubs. In fact, it is only the seventh time documented that a Grizzly Sow has had 4 cubs in one birthing.
Griz 399 has been referred to as one of the greatest Momma Bears of all time. These captured images are a testament to that.
I feel honored and blessed to be able to have seen and photograph these amazing creatures."
Montana Photographer Terry Sweeney
grizzly bear 399 and 4 cubs; wildlife and scenic photography; nature photography
