Grand Teton National Park’s beloved Grizzly 399 was admired by thousands of photographers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world until she tragically died after getting struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 on October 22nd, 2024.
As a tribute to her unforgettable presence in the Tetons, the Grizzly 399 Legacy of Love Project is proud to announce that a permanent sculpture honoring the world’s most famous grizzly bear will be placed the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming:
“After months of quiet planning, this major milestone is now official: the life-plus-half scale bronze sculpture honoring Grizzly 399—known globally for her powerful presence, remarkable intelligence, and role as a symbol of coexistence—will be installed for public viewing at one of the most prestigious wildlife art institutions in the world. The monument will be located on the NMWA’s Sculpture Trail, ensuring public access and wheelchair accessibility. The ¾-mile Sculpture Trail, designed by award-winning landscape architect Walter Hood, underscores the museum’s commitment to presenting fine art wildlife sculptures within the fabric of Jackson Hole’s incomparable landscape. Home to more than 30 sculptures, the Trail stretches along the bluff to the north and south, overlooking the National Elk Refuge and becoming an open air amphitheater at the Museum entrance.”
The monumental bronze of Grizzly 399 is in progress and the public unveiling date of the monument will be announced in the coming months. We will be sure to pay homage to Grizzly 399 next time we are in Jackson Hole and want to commend all parties involved in this lasting tribute.
“This is more than a sculpture. It’s a statement of love, legacy, and the bond between people and the wild. To see her story honored at the National Museum of Wildlife Art is the realization of a dream we’ve carried for years.” -Wildlife Sculptor Jocelyn Russell
To learn more, please visit 399monument.com.
