Fat Bear Week Bears
Fat Bear Week is an annual online tournament hosted by Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska. It celebrates the incredible transformation of brown bears as they bulk up for winter hibernation by feasting on salmon from the Brooks River.
How It Works:
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Bracket-style competition: Bears are matched head-to-head, and the public votes for the bear that best exemplifies pre-hibernation fatness.
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Voting: Takes place at fatbearweek.org from September 23–30 each year.
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Fat Bear Junior: A prelude featuring cubs, held a few days earlier.
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Live cams: Watch the bears in action at Explore.org’s bear cams.
Meet the Bears!
128 Grazer
32 Chunk
Bucky
Reigning champ and fierce mama bear, now raising a yearling cub. Known for her aggressive salmon-catching style and protective instincts.
One of the largest bears on the river. Overcame a broken jaw this spring and still packed on serious pounds.
A rising star with a reputation for clever fishing and strategic positioning.
480 Otis
747 "Bear Force One"
Beloved elder bear, known for his patience and wisdom. Multiple-time champion and fan favorite.
A former champion and one of the largest bears ever recorded—estimated at over 1,400 pounds. Dominant and deliberate.
