I was fortunate again today to see 399 and her 4 cubs!
I was one of the first to Pilgrim Creek when she showed up this morning . It wasn’t long before hundreds joined me. All hoping to get a glimpse of the most famous bear in Wyoming, if not, the world!! She is 24 years old – which as far as I know is one of the oldest bears alive! (Outside of a zoo)
So why do I love her so much? I was fortunate enough to see her many years ago when she had 2 cubs. The fact that she is still going strong just warms my heart!!
Most important though is the fact that she has become the symbol of the bear’s recovery system in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Can you imagine a world without bears? I can’t and I don’t want to. But the population of grizzlies was declining. I read that scientists were afraid the Yellowstone grizzlies would disappear all together. In 1975, the grizzlies were added to the Endangered Species Act (we must continue to fight to save our marvelous animals!!). 399 has certainly done her part to restore the grizzly population. I love that she stands for the success of this act, I love that she makes so many people happy, and I just love that she affords us the opportunity to watch her cubs grow!!
Starting my morning with this sight just made my day. I haven’t stopped smiling and I know when my head hits the pillow, I’m going to bed happy! 399 did that!! What’s not to love.
I really do hope that everyone reading this cares about the animals. All animals!!
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how it’s animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi
Wild Wild West 