Wild Memories Photography Tours

RIP Scarface, you will be missed by many

Today, we received the gut wrenching news that our favorite grizzly bear in Yellowstone, 25 year old Scarface, also known as bear 211, is dead.  This news, in and of itself, would have been disappointing but understandable, due to his old age and poor physical condition.  But, what we also learned today is that Scarface’s final moments consisted of some type of encounter with a human.  Scarface, like so many of Yellowstone’s wildlife that we have come to know and love, was killed by a bullet in late November, 2015.  He never made it to his longtime den on the east side of Washburn, where many of us hoped we would simply slip away in his sleep.

Many, many people have known Scarface for much of his life and have looked forward to seeing him wander Lamar Valley, or through Little America, or in the wildflowers on Dunraven Pass, every year.  Scarface sightings have been filled with happiness and excitement and one of my favorite things to do, while watching him with a crowd, was to tell the young people that they were watching the most famous bear in all of Yellowstone and watch their eyes light up.  A grizzly sighting that they would never forget.

When I arrived in Yellowstone in the Fall of 2012, I knew nothing about Scarface, so named because of the obvious scar on the right side of his face, along with his mangled ear.  His profile, whether far away or silhouetted, was hard to mistake.  So, when spring arrived and many people began asking me about Scarface, I had do clue who they were talking about.

Until one day I lucked upon SF coming down a hill near the Yellowstone bridge, and crossing the road close to my front bumper.  He introduced himself to me in grand style and I became an instant fan of his.

From that moment on I always had an eye out for Scarface.  He was extremely tolerant of people and often strolled casually by the crowds of his adoring fans with barely a glance.  Scarface was much better behaved than most people, who often got in his path, trying to get a photo.  But, being the gentleman that he was, he would simply continue on, perhaps slightly perturbed but never aggressive.

Scarface’s first stop of spring was always Lamar Valley, where he would roam the valley from one end to the other.  Last spring Scarface kept going and took a walk about the Beartooth.  In fact, it seemed that Scarface explored most of Yellowstone and some beyond last year, as if he was taking one last look around.

Last spring, Scarface came out of the den looking great and some of us were lucky enough to capture him as he wandered beside the Lamar River and the road for quite some distance.

But, as the year wore on and Scarface was not able to travel freely, due to being blocked by people, or run off by younger bears, his condition began to deteriorate and his collar, usually snug, hung loosely on him.  We saw him traveling across Little America a couple of times, once in the spring and once in late summer.

By late summer, Scarface was skin and bones.  He was a sad sight.

But, my favorite time of seeing SF last summer was in Hayden Valley where we watched him fight a younger boar and win.

In October, Scarface was captured and re-collared but none of us knew until he walked down the hill behind us at Grizzly Overlook one day.  We were watching wolves and had no idea that SF was in the neighborhood until he calmly walked off that hill, crossed the road and continued on to Hayden Valley.

Scarface looked so good that day in Hayden Valley – almost like he had been groomed – spruced up a little.  And, he had gained weight, which gave us hope that SF might rally for another year.  But, the truth was that he weighed half of his usual weight, had only 12% body fat and two teeth – chances were not good that SF would survive the winter and most certainly not the spring.

But, everyone hoped to see the legend of Yellowstone one last time.  Someone reported seeing the famous grizzly this spring but now we know it must have been mistaken identity, because SF had been dead since shortly after the park closed, killed by a bullet when he came across the wrong man outside of the park.

We do not know the details of Scarface’s death and therefore should withhold judgment and condemnation until the facts are in and the investigation complete.  Many are upset that we were kept in the dark for so long.  But, this I do know – Montana Fish and Wildlife told me earlier this year that a wolf had been poached in Jardine but we were not told because officials needed the space to investigate the poaching and could not afford to be distracted by the outcry that would have come from the public.  Because of our hatred towards hatred, we have lost the right to know about these matters in a timely manner.  So, please remember, the lives of these animals are at stake and we must not react towards hatred or lack of being enlightened, with hatred of our own.  Our negative reactions are fed upon those who hate these animals and are used for an excuse to kill more.  So, for the sake of the grizzly bears that still live, please be civil and wait for answers.

Here are more images of Scarface, taken during the 3 years that I knew the most famous bear in all of Yellowstone.

And, so, on this day, we say goodbye to a good friend.  May you rest in peace Scarface and forever walk in the wildflowers and the sunshine.

Last summer, Scarface had a fight with a younger boar and obviously put the youngster in his place.  See the video below.