Gardiner’s Failure Costs Another Grizzly Its Life: The Loss of the Blacktail Ponds Bear
Another Yellowstone grizzly is gone — and once again, human negligence is at the center of it. The well-known grizzly bear often spotted at Blacktail Ponds each spring, now officially known as Bear 769, has been euthanized by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. After repeatedly accessing unsecured food sources in Gardiner — including coolers, garbage cans, trailers, sheds, and even breaking into homes — officials had no other viable option.
Despite efforts to trap him humanely using live traps, 769 managed to evade them. Over time, the bear learned that human places meant easy meals. With so many food rewards reinforcing that behavior, relocation was deemed unlikely to succeed. The bear had become a serious risk — not just to himself, but to the community.
For a decade, 769 had been a familiar figure to wildlife photographers and Yellowstone visitors. Each spring, he was typically the first grizzly to emerge at Blacktail Ponds, drawn by the chance to feed on winter-killed bison that fell through the ice. This reliable seasonal pattern became something of a tradition for many who came to witness and photograph him. But this year, the bear never returned to the ponds. Though he was still alive then, his absence was a warning sign that something had changed.
769 didn’t just have significance as a photo subject. He likely sired numerous cubs across the park’s north and west sections. After leaving the ponds, he moved into the territories of other notable bears like the Obsidian and Beryl Springs grizzlies. His loss will leave a noticeable void in the region’s grizzly population.
Interestingly, another bear — this one a female with two yearling cubs — has been frequenting the ponds this season. She may be stepping into the territory once occupied by 769, though time will tell if she becomes as iconic.
What’s most frustrating about this situation is how preventable it was. Residents of Gardiner have been working hard in recent years to reduce attractants and secure food sources, but in the case of this bear, it wasn’t enough. This isn’t to discredit those who made real efforts — many locals did what they could. But unfortunately, some individuals and businesses still haven’t taken the grizzly presence seriously. Bears in Gardiner are nothing new. Keeping food and waste secure isn’t difficult — it’s common sense in bear country.
The death of Bear 769 is a stark reminder of what happens when communities fail to coexist responsibly with wildlife. It’s not just a bear that’s been lost. It’s a symbol of what happens when we ignore basic practices of stewardship.
This time, the price of negligence was the life of one of Yellowstone’s most photographed and well-known grizzlies. Hopefully, it will serve as a wake-up call to those who still haven’t understood the importance of living responsibly in bear country.
