Buffalo Bill Center of the West

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    • Why I SupportSee what motivates donors to give to the Center.
    • A.P. Proctor bronze winner: Ticket # 1115407Our winner: Ticket number 1115407 from Dayton, Ohio!
    • Raptor ExperienceHelp provide care for our avian friends.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

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  • Visit
    • Current HoursDecember 1–February 28: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday–Sunday
    • Hours and RatesPlan your visit to the Center of the West.
    • Group SalesBook a commercial or non-commercial tour with us.
    • Facility RentalsHost your event in one of our indoor or outdoor spaces.
    • Visiting YellowstonePlan your visit to Yellowstone National Park.
    • LodgingSelect from a variety of local accommodations.
    • ItinerariesDiscover some quick day trips in and around Cody.
    • DirectionsFind driving directions and check road conditions.
    • StoriesFind your story among ours.
    • Calendar of EventsSee what events are happening during your visit here.
  • Explore
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      • Draper Natural History Museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West
      • Whitney Western Art Museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West
      • Plains Indian Museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West
      • Cody Firearms Museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West
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      • Online Collections Buffalo Bill Center of the West
      • Blogs, articles, and features Buffalo Bill Center of the West
    • Museum Details
      • ExhibitionsFind out what’s on view in our Center.
      • Beyond Our WallsSee how we bring the West to the World.
      • EventsEnjoy learning more about the American West.
      • NewsroomStay up-to-date with all Center happenings.
  • Learn
    • School Programs & ResourcesEssential info and resources for teachers and students.
    • Family ProgramsFamily-friendly programs, activities, and craft ideas.
    • InternshipsCollege students may apply to gain museum experience.
    • Skype in the ClassroomLive, interactive K–12 field trips.
    • WorkshopsExplore hands-on programs for kids, families, and adults.
    • Conservation InternshipsTraining for conservators from all over the world.
    • Pre-K ProgramsSet up a guided tour for your preschool class.
    • Field TripsInvestigate outdoor adventures for adults and children.
    • Highlights MapsDiscover collection highlights in each of our museum.
    • Games and InteractivesLearn about the collection through online interactives.
    • Lectures & FilmsPlan for future talks and view past program videos.
    • Western EssaysDelve into historical information on western topics.
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Clothing and Accessories
    • Gifts
    • Native American Replicas
    • Fine Art
    • Quality Leather
    • Native American Jewelry
    • Navajo Rugs
    • Pottery
    • Prints
    • Media
    • Baskets
  • Research
    • McCracken Research LibraryFind books, photos, archives, media, and more.Buffalo Bill Center of the West
    • Digital CollectionsExplore our extensive photo and manuscript collections.
    • Archival Collection List and Finding GuidesBrowse inventories of archival collections.
    • The Papers of William F. CodyDiscover scholarship on the man and the myth.
    • Fellowship ProgramContribute to new scholarship using Center collections.
    • Buffalo BillUncover in-depth information about William F. Cody.
    • Greater Yellowstone Natural HistoryLearn more about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
    • Western ArtDelve into the lives and works of western artists.
    • Plains IndianDiscover more about Plains Indian tribes and collections.
    • FirearmsFind a firearms bibliography, glossary, and more.
    • ConservationFind out how we preserve Center collections.
    • Rights and ReproductionsLicense or reproduce images from our collections.
  • Support
    • Planned GivingLeave your legacy with a bequest or estate gift.
    • Patrons BallAttend our annual gala fundraiser.
    • MembershipBecome a supporter and receive great benefits.
    • VolunteerSupport the Center with your time and talent.
    • 1966 Pontiac GTO winner: Ticket # 4206Our winner: Ticket number 4206 from Bozeman, Montana!
    • Give TodayMake a donation to programs and operations.
    • Why I SupportSee what motivates donors to give to the Center.
    • A.P. Proctor bronze winner: Ticket # 1115407Our winner: Ticket number 1115407 from Dayton, Ohio!
    • Raptor ExperienceHelp provide care for our avian friends.
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Home > Draper Natural History Museum > Museum Minute: Yellowstone’s “Most” Famous Bear: Bear 104

Museum Minute: Yellowstone’s “Most” Famous Bear: Bear 104

May 3, 2018 by Kamila Kudelska

Bear 104 spotted with her cubs.

Bear 104 spotted with her cubs.

Bear 104 was a female grizzly bear who made her home on the edge of Yellowstone National Park and Shoshone National Forest, near a very heavily used road.

As tourists drove to the east entrance of Yellowstone, they would be lucky enough to see Bear 104 and her cubs throughout the years.

She was first trapped in 1984 near Pahaska Tepee when she was about two and half years old. At 350 pounds, she was a small grizzly bear. And she was very tolerant of humans. Unfortunately, this got her in trouble early in her life. People would approach her as close to 15 feet, in some cases, photographers, especially.

Thus, she was an easy photo for the eager wildlife tourists coming into Yellowstone. Most pictures of a grizzly bear in the mid 80’s were bear 104.

Her proximity with humans finally caught up with her in 2001, when she was hit by a small truck. She was about 19 years of age. The body of bear 104 was donated to the museum.

A couple years later, her cub was euthanized because he was in such bad condition. He joined his mother in the museum.

Bear 104's cub at the Draper Natural History Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Bear 104’s cub at the Draper Natural History Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Since bear 104  and her cub departed the North Fork of the Shoshone river and the Yellowstone highway, not many grizzly bears frequent the area anymore.

 

Bear 104 and her cub at the Draper Natural History Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Bear 104 and her cub at the Draper Natural History Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

 

https://centerofthewest.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bear-104-Final_mixdown.wav

Museum Minute is a series co-produced with Wyoming Public Media (WPM). A new minute can be heard every Thursday morning on WPM.

Filed Under: Draper Natural History Museum, Newsroom, Reporting from the Center of the West
Tagged With: bear 104, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, draper natural history museum, Grizzly bear, Museum Minute, Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming Minute, Yellowstone National Park

 

About Kamila Kudelska

Kamila Kudelska is the multimedia journalist for the Center and for Wyoming Public Media. She tells the hidden stories of all five museums. And reports on the news of northwest Wyoming. Kamila has worked as a public radio reporter in California, Poland and New York. She enjoys skiing (both downhill and crosscountry) and loves to read.

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