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Part of situation: Backpack wins 2026 Fat Bear Week (3 clusters)

Katmai National Park hosts 12th annual Fat Bear Week

Fat Bear Week Katmai National Park brown bears Alaska wildlife hibernation

Fat Bear Week has returned to Alaska’s Katmai National Park for its 12th annual competition. The event, which allows online voters to participate in a single-elimination bracket, celebrates brown bears that best exemplify successful fat accumulation in preparation for their upcoming winter hibernation.

Defending champion Chunk 32, a 1,200-pound male brown bear, is seeking to retain his title. Despite suffering significant injuries, including a broken jaw and broken teeth, officials noted his remarkable resilience in building fat reserves. Park Superintendent Mark Sturm observed that a new generation of bears is emerging, noting an increase in cubs at Brooks Camp this year.

The competition has grown significantly since its inception, with previous years seeing over 1.7 million votes cast from more than 100 countries. While the contest carries no physical prize for the animals, it serves to highlight the biological importance of fat reserves for survival during the scarce food months of October and November.

Entities

Bear 32 · Brooks Falls · Chunk · Chunk 32 · Explore.org · Katmai National Park · Katmai National Park and Preserve · Kodiak Archipelago · Mike Fitz · National Park Service

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

La Fat Bear Week revient en Alaska: Les plus gros ours en lice [fr.euronews.com]
Alaska'da Şişman Ayı Haftası başlıyor: En iriler tacın peşinde [tr.euronews.com]
“The Bears Recognize the Guides. " Tracking the World's Largest Bears with the Alaska Native Guides Who Know Them Best. [www.outsideonline.com]
Fat Bear Week returns as Alaska's biggest bears compete for the crown [www.euronews.com]
Voting is now open for Fat Bear Week 2026 [www.independent.co.uk]