You may not have been to Yellowstone or the Grand Teton but you’ve probably seen photos of Bear 610 and her family. Still, the grizzly hasn’t been spotted this year and some are concerned she’s met an untimely end.
The famous female grizzly is popular among wildlife photographers as she and her cubs are often seen along the roadsides of Grand Teton National Park.
Mike Cavaroc, a wildlife photographer, has been taking pictures of Bear 610 and her family since 2008. He’s worried that a poacher could have killed her.
"They bring so much to the area. It would be a shame for someone just to take her life into their own hands for selfish reasons," said Cavaroc.
Sue Consolo-Murphy, chief of Science and Resource Management at Grand Teton National Park, said it’s not unusual for a grizzly to relocate.
"This is a bear that is halfway, maybe a third a way through her life. She’s continually learning and adapting to her environment. I think like any animal is," she said.
She said it’s quite possible grizzly 610 is exploring new territory and people shouldn’t be worried about her.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, Yellowstone Public Radio in Montana, KUER in Salt Lake City and KRCC and KUNC in Colorado.
