This year, Fat Bear Week showcases hefty mother bears and their adorable offspring for the first time.
Organized by Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, Fat Bear Week is an annual event celebrating the park’s robust brown bears that feast on Brooks River salmon to gain weight before winter hibernation.
Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz mentioned, “We observed more bear families at the river this year than ever before.”
In a bid to highlight these stories, five mother bears and their cubs are featured in this year’s Fat Bear Week, emphasizing the direct link between a cub’s health and its mother’s dedication.
Contestant Bear 910 in Fat Bear Week is the offspring of former champion Beadnose. (C. Loberg/Fat Bear Week)
Fat Bear Week debuted in 2014 and has gained significant popularity, inspiring similar initiatives like Fat Marmot Week in Colorado.
Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast, and the team anticipates surpassing that count this year, as stated by Fitz, a former ranger at Katmai National Park, now serving as the resident naturalist for Explore.org, a partner in hosting the competition.
The tournament features 16 bears or bear families in a single-elimination bracket format, fueled by a bountiful salmon run, intensifying the competition.
Chunk’s Reign Continues
Chunk, or Bear 32, remains a formidable contender, having triumphed in previous competitions, including last year’s victory, where he reached a remarkable 1,200 pounds while nursing a broken jaw.
Fitz highlighted promising newcomers to watch this year, such as Bear 151, also known as Walker.
Describing Bear 151, Fitz remarked, “He consistently gains weight each year, resembling a pear in shape.”