A well known, popular female grizzly bear was hit and seriously injured by a motor vehicle near the Norris Geyser Basin on Saturday evening, June 14, 2003. The 12 year old bear received multiple injuries, including a broken back, and had to be euthanized early Sunday morning at 4:45 a.m.

Bear No. 264 frequented the area between Mammoth to Norris and was observed by hundreds, if not thousands of park visitors each year; the bear and her cubs were an especially popular subject of wildlife photographers from around the area. Bear No. 264 had several litters of cubs during her life span-first in 1996 (2 cubs), again in 1999 (2 cubs), and a third and last litter (2 cubs) in 2000. The only litter to survive was the 1999 litter, now sub-adults and on their own.

Park staff received notification of the incident at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening. They found the bear close to the Norris Campground, approximately 22 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. The bear appeared to have a broken back, along with other injuries. Park staff were able to immobilize the 260 pound bear and move her by gurney to a culvert trap. Bear No. 264 was taken to Mammoth Hot Springs for an initial assessment and then to a veterinarian in Bozeman, Montana, where x-rays confirmed a broken back and paralysis in the lower portion of her body.

The driver of the vehicle and other witnesses state that the bear darted out in front of the vehicle. The driver braked and swerved to try and miss the bear, but hit it with the car�s right front tire; there was no damage to the vehicle. The bear slid off the road and into some trees. Speed was not a factor in the incident. The driver immediately stopped and reported the incident.

Park visitors are reminded to be careful while driving roads in Yellowstone National Park. Roadways are narrow and windy, and wildlife are often close to roadways and difficult to see. The speed limit in Yellowstone National Park is 45 mph, unless otherwise posted. Visitors are also reminded to report all wildlife accidents or encounters to park headquarters at: 307-344-7381.