UPDATE | Two Grizzly Bear Cubs Found Dead in Grand Teton National Park
This story is updated with a report that grizzly bear 1063 has been reunited with her third cub.
Barely a week after grizzly 1058, one of the famous quadruplets of 399, was killed by a car in Grand Teton National Park, the park said in a press release that rangers found the bodies of two young grizzlies.
“On the morning of Tuesday, May 13, Grand Teton National Park staff discovered the carcasses of two yearling grizzly bears in a closed area south of Colter Bay. The bears were found approximately 250 yards apart, and both showed signs of depredation by a larger bear,” the statement says.
Two Yearling Grizzly Bears Found Dead Near Colter Bay in Grand Teton National Park
Following the discovery, law enforcement and wildlife staff conducted extensive patrols of the Colter Bay developed area, Highway 89, Leeks Marina, AMK Ranch, and surrounding locations to monitor for bear activity.
During these operations, park staff observed a lone adult grizzly bear with red ear tags in the vicinity. She was identified as grizzly bear 1063, a bear who had frequently been observed in recent weeks with her yearling cubs. No cubs were observed with her during this sighting.
“Bears exhibit a range of fascinating behaviors influenced by their biological needs, social structures, and environmental factors,” said Grand Teton National Park Bear Biologist Justin Schwabedissen. “While it is incredibly sad to see a grizzly bear lose its cubs, depredation by other bears is a natural source of cub mortality in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and has previously occurred in Grand Teton.”
In recent weeks, grizzly 1063 and her cubs had been observed in and around developed and residential areas at Colter Bay. In accordance with park policy, staff hazed the bears when they lingered in these areas or remained immediately adjacent to nearby roadways.
Hazing is an essential management tool used to reduce potential conflicts between humans and wildlife, for their safety and ours. When it is necessary to haze a bear, staff use a spectrum of tools tailored to the situation while providing for human and animal safety. Each time hazing was deemed appropriate and implemented, grizzly 1063 and her cubs remained together.
Based on observed behavior and evidence, it is likely that a male grizzly bear in the area led to the separation of the yearlings from grizzly 1063 and was responsible for the depredation.
On May 15, Grand Teton National Park posted on its Facebook page that “Today, staff confirmed a sighting of GB1063 with one surviving cub by her side, moving through the Colter Bay area. This is a bittersweet reminder of nature’s harshness, but also of the strength and resilience of wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.”
Park staff continue to monitor the area and remind visitors to remain bear aware: carry bear spray, maintain a safe distance from all wildlife, and report any bear sightings to a park ranger.
