By FPL_SamU
Every year the brown bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska face off in a bracket style, single elimination tournament to determine who will be crowned the fattest bear of the year. The competition started in 2014 as a single day event but has since grown into a week-long celebration of the bears and their habitat. You can follow along with the bears’ progress through live bear cams, before and after photos, and by reading their biographies which include information on feeding habits, personality traits, and physical features.
2024 Schedule
September 26–27: Fat Bear Junior
A chance for the younger bears to shine! Fat Bear Junior kicks off the excitement, highlighting the up-and-coming contenders who may one day challenge the veteran heavyweights.
September 30: Reveal of the 2024 Main Contenders
Click to watch the reveal: Meet the Bears., opens a new window
October 2–8: Fat Bear Week
Check out the chunkiest bears of Katmai National Park and vote for your favorite!
You might be asking yourself, why are we rooting for bears to bulk up? It’s not all about aesthetics, even though they do look quite fluffy. It’s really about survival.
Brown bears enter a state of hibernation for up to 6 months every year, during which time they don’t eat, drink, or go to the bathroom. Preparation involves months spent feasting on the sockeye salmon along the Brooks River in Katmai National Park. They need to accumulate fat reserves to survive the harsh Alaskan winter. The fattest bears are often the healthiest, with the best chance of surviving the winter and reproducing in the spring. This makes Fat Bear Week a celebration of nature’s resilience and the extraordinary survival strategies of these animals.
Meet a few contenders from last year:
Bear 128: Grazer
The Reigning Champion
Bear 128, known as Grazer, is a fierce mother who has successfully raised multiple cubs while maintaining her own impressive physique. She exemplifies the dual challenges female bears face—caring for offspring while also preparing for hibernation. Her ability to balance both tasks has made her a fan favorite.
Bear 480: Otis
Otis was four to six years old when he was first identified in 2001, and he’s now one of the older male bears at Brooks River. As bears age, they experience a variety of challenges and Otis is no exception. He faces strong competition from younger adult males for preferred fishing spots.
Bear 32: Chunk
Chunk was first identified in 2007 as an independent, chunky-looking 2.5-year-old bear. He has been a large adult for several years. Yet, in past years his behavior was enigmatic. He would sometimes play with other bears or wait patiently to scavenge leftover salmon. In summer 2023, however, Chunk used his size and confidence to his advantage.
How to learn more and participate?
Participating in Fat Bear Week is simple. Each day during the competition you can visit the official Fat Bear Week website, opens a new window or follow Katmai National Park’s social media pages to see the daily matchups. The park provides detailed descriptions and photos of the bears, along with information about their habits, life histories, and ecological roles.
Explore.org: 2024 Fat Bear Week, opens a new window
While Fat Bear Week is undoubtedly a fun and lighthearted event, it also serves an important scientific purpose. By observing the bears and documenting their behaviors, park rangers and researchers gain valuable insights into the health of the ecosystem. These bears serve as indicators of the park’s overall health; when they’re thriving, it’s a sign that the environment is functioning as it should.
As Fat Bear Week 2024 unfolds, the competition will be fierce. Will Grazer defend her title, or will a new contender like Chunk rise to the top? Regardless of who wins, the event offers a fascinating glimpse into the natural world, showcasing the incredible adaptations and survival strategies of one of Earth’s most powerful species.
Photo credit: www.flickr.com: Katmai NPS, opens a new window
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