24 years old Yellowstone bear emerges from winter with cubs

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A few weeks ago, a nature photographer who lives near Yellowstone national park sent a four-word text message to Dr Jane Goodall, the British primatologist.

“Miraculously, she still lives!”

The photographer, Thomas Mangelsen, was referring to a grizzly bear known as “399”, probably the most famous wild bruin in the world. Aged 24, not only is she one of the oldest grizzlies living outside a zoo, she has also continued having cubs to a venerable age, becoming a poster child for the recovery of bears in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Mangelsen has been chronicling the life and times of 399 for nearly 15 years. Goodall counts herself among the bear’s most ardent admirers, and, holed up in England, was eagerly awaiting word on whether 399 had survived the long winter. Mangelsen said she was ecstatic.

Generally pacific in nature, 399 has raised her broods by roadsides in view of groups of curious humans, including some who have exercised poor judgment by moving closer to take photographs of her and her cubs. She has, with one exception, demonstrated incredible restraint.

“Four-cub litters are rare,” said Frank van Manen, a senior research biologist who oversees the Yellowstone region’s Grizzly Bear Study Team. “We have documented females producing cubs well into their early- to mid- 20s, but a litter of four at that age is definitely unique.”

The population of grizzlies in the Yellowstone region was given protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1975 after their numbers dipped to less than 150, and scientists feared they could disappear altogether. 

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/09/yellowstone-grizzly-bear-399-conservation

[selenalavigne 1,433]

awww I've always wanted to visit some of the wildlife preservation national parks in the US. Love that the population of bears is growing again.

[HotLikeMexico 6,655]

44 minutes ago, selenalavigne said:

awww I've always wanted to visit some of the wildlife preservation national parks in the US. Love that the population of bears is growing again.

I saw a bear a few years back when I was at Yellowstone. It was one so beautiful sitting there in the middle of all those trees. I need to find that selfie I imagine to snap from afar.

 

[HermioneT 1,998]

This is heartwarming, thanks for sharing

[Economy 52,919]

What's their typical breeding age?

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10 hours ago, Economy said:

What's their typical breeding age?

I found that their average breeding age is 4.5 years.

[Emvee 8,845]

She did THAT 

[sarahb 17,213]

I just read 'Yellowstone' and I was like oh here we go