Katmai National Park hosts annual Fat Bear Week competition

The annual Fat Bear Week competition is set to begin on September 22, featuring brown bears from Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Preserve. The single-elimination tournament allows participants from around the world to vote online for the bear that best demonstrates successful weight gain in preparation for winter hibernation.

This year, 11 adult bears are competing, including former champions and newcomers. Notable contenders include 32 Chunk, a large male with a broken jaw, and various females characterized by their distinct fur colors and physical builds. The bears accumulate significant mass by feeding on sockeye salmon in the Brooks River between June and October.

Since its inception in 2014, the event has grown from a small local contest to a global phenomenon. Recent iterations have seen upwards of 1.2 million votes cast from over 100 countries. The competition concludes on September 29 with the crowning of a new champion.