Famous Yellowstone Grizzly Bear ‘Scarface’ Found Shot, Killed; Sparks Investigation

Although he bore several large scars on his face and had a damaged right ear, Scarface made it through 25 years in the park, which makes him elderly for a grizzly. He was formally known by the parks department as No. 211.

FILE - In this Oct. 2005, file Well-known Yellowstone National Park grizzly bear known as "Scarface." Montana wildlife officials have confirmed that the grizzly bear was shot and killed during a confrontation with a hunter north of Gardiner last fall. Ray Paunovich via AP

“Scarface” is a fitting name for the most well-known Grizzly bear that roamed the vast lands of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. 

Although he bore several large scars on his face and had a damaged right ear, Scarface made it through 25 years in the park, which makes him elderly for a grizzly. He was formally known by the parks department as No. 211.

But in November last year, Scarface was fatally shot by a hunter just outside the park’s northern tip by Gardiner, Mont., according to a statement by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department (MFWPD) last week. 

“No. 211 was recognizable because of distinctive scars on the right side of his face likely the result of typical fights with other male grizzlies for females during mating season or to claim deer and elk carcasses,” the statement said. 

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