Alaskan brown bears to duke it out for ‘fattest’ bear title in 11th annual national park competition
Fat Bear Week is returning for its 11th annual competition. NPS/A. Ramos / SWNS
Alaskan bears are gearing up to battle for the title of the bulkiest bear once again as “Fat Bear Week” returns to Katmai National Park later this month for its 11th year.
From September 23 to 30, the National Park Service will spotlight a dozen hefty brown bears as they bulk up for winter hibernation. Fans can watch the competition unfold through live streams showing the bears piling on the pounds before they settle down for the season.
While no actual prize awaits the heaviest bear, the event has become a fan favorite, with many viewers casting their votes online to crown the chunkiest contender. Voting is open daily from noon to 9 p.m.
“From tubby titans to gargantuan gluttons, get ready to cheer for the heftiest bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River!” park officials said in a social media post.
The bears have already started their feast, gaining weight steadily in preparation for hibernation. Some Alaskan brown bears can reach up to 1,200 pounds by November, packing on around four pounds a day.
Scientists estimate the bears’ weights through observation alone, as the contest involves no direct interaction with the animals. Cameras—eight in total—monitor the bears’ habitat, including an underwater salmon cam at the falls to track their fresh meals. Many bears gather at Brooks River, where sockeye salmon are abundant through late October.
Fat Bear Week was created in 2014 by retired park ranger Mike Fitz. Initially a one-day event, it quickly expanded into a full week and even inspired a junior version for cubs.
This year’s competition bracket was delayed after a fatal confrontation between a scheduled participant and another bear. Last year, “Grazer 128,” who was also raising a cub, claimed the crown by defeating “32 Chunk.”
The cub competition, called Fat Bear Junior, is set for September 18 to 19.
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