Voting for Fat Bear Week in Katmai National Park was underway, where 12 bears compete to show who has gained the most weight before hibernation. Due to an attack where Bear #469 killed Bear #402, the reveal of the bracket was delayed. Fat Bear Week is celebrated as an annual event to highlight the success of the bears in bulking up before winter. Voters can choose the bear they believe exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears. Surviving hibernation means gaining weight to last through months without food. Large male brown bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and can lose up to one-third of their body weight during hibernation.
In this year’s contest, Bear #909 Jr. won the junior contest and advanced to face Bear #128, Grazer, who holds the title from last year. Grazer is known for being one of the most adaptable and successful bears at Brooks River. Another notable competitor is Bear #747, a two-time Fat Bear Week victor who is so large he was named after an airplane. The winner of the bracket will be declared the fattest bear of the season.
The voting concludes on Tuesday, and the final matchup will determine the winner of Fat Bear Week, celebrating the bears’ ability to survive and thrive in the wild.
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