Jackson Hole is preparing to honor one of its most beloved wild residents. On September 9, the National Museum of Wildlife Art will unveil and dedicate a new bronze monument to Grizzly 399, the famous matriarch of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, in a public ceremony running from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Sculpture and Its Creators
The life-and-a-half-sized piece depicts 399 alongside her celebrated quad cubs, and it will find a permanent home near the museum's front entrance — a spot that will keep her accessible to visitors for years to come. The project was led by Kentucky-based wildlife sculptor Jocelyn Russell, whose body of work includes more than 60 public monuments, with fellow sculptors Kristen Douglas-Seitz and Colleen Moore rounding out the creative team.
In its own statement, the museum described the sculpture's location as a way to give 399 a permanent presence inside an institution built around wildlife art and conservation storytelling, cementing her place as one of the ecosystem's most recognizable ambassadors.
Why 399 Mattered So Much
Grizzly 399's death in October 2024, after she was struck by a vehicle in the Snake River Canyon, sent a wave of grief through the valley and well beyond it. Over her 28 years, she raised 18 cubs, and she became a global celebrity in 2020 when she emerged from her den with four cubs at once — a rarity for grizzlies, who typically have just one or two. Her story was significant enough to be the subject of a PBS documentary, and this new sculpture grew directly out of a fundraising campaign built to honor her legacy.
Dedication Day Details
The September 9 event at the museum is free and open to the public, with a schedule that includes:
- 5–5:30 p.m. — Dedication ceremony and remarks
- 5:30–6 p.m. — Meet-and-greet with sculptor Jocelyn Russell
- 6–7 p.m. — Public presentation on the making of the sculpture, followed by Q&A
Complimentary food and drinks will be served from 5 to 6 p.m.
A Second Tribute in Alpine
The sculpture will also make an appearance at a separate fundraiser at the Flying Saddle Resort in Alpine that same Saturday. This gathering is limited to 50 guests and includes cocktails at 5 p.m., a presentation at 6 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person, with 30% of proceeds supporting the sculpture project. Reservations can be made by calling 877-772-4422.
Source: Jackson Hole News and Guide
