Lucky few spot Grand Teton grizzly days before park closes

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Grizzly bears are emerging from their dens in Grand Teton National Park and a handful of people were able to spot a well-known bear called Bruno a few days before the park closed indefinitely.

Photographer Jack Bayles was among those who saw the big male bear Saturday in the park in northwestern Wyoming. Grand Teton and nearby Yellowstone National Park closed Tuesday to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Bayles had heard Bruno was out of his den and went to northern Grand Teton, where he saw the bear emerge onto a road. A snowplow soon came through and forced the bear to leave the road, Bayles told the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

“This is actually early for him,” Bayles said. “Last year, Bruno day was April 8.”

People from California and Utah were among the others there looking specifically for Bruno, Bayles said.

Yellowstone reported its first grizzly sighting March 7.

Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region usually begin emerging from their dens in late February. Females with cubs sometimes stay in and near their dens into May.