THE competition for the fattest bear is heating up as the final four fat bears have been announced.
The National Park Service at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve asked the public to vote on its favorite fat bear, and this year’s race is coming to a close with tight competition.
Fat Bear Week features a March Madness style bracket of Alaska’s fattest bears[/caption]
When the bears first enter the river area, they’re skinny from months of hibernation[/caption]
As the bears prepare to hibernate they can weigh up to 1,200 pounds[/caption]
Four bears remain in the final Fat Bear Week bracket[/caption]
Bears in Katmai National Park weigh an average of 700-900 pounds in mid-summer and can get past 1200 pounds by the fall.
Between June and October, the bears gather around Brooks River to catch salmon and bulk up for their winter hibernation.
The matchups were open for voting from September 23 to 30, with voters filling out a March Madness-style bracket.
Fat Bear Week first started with 12 standout bears–seven of which were female.
However, now the competition has dwindled to just four chunky brown bears, with only one, 128 Grazer, of the remaining four being female.
Two bears, 128 Grazer and 32 Chunk, are by far the fan favorites.
Grazer’s weight gain has been noticeable over the summer months, as she was first photographed looking slim and bony in June, but now appears to have bulked up in preparation for hibernation.
She is known for being strong offensively and defensively and has won Fat Bear Week two years in a row, according to Explore.org.
The second fan favorite is 32 Chunk.
Chunk also gained a noticeable amount of weight since he was first photographed in July.
Mystery surrounds this 1200-plus-pound bear as he returned to the Brooks River this summer with a broken jaw.
Experts believe that the broken jaw was due to a fight he got into with another bear during mating season.
Going into the summer, Chunk’s fate was uncertain as his broken jaw impeded his ability to catch salmon and maintain dominance.
Luckily, Chunk was able to adapt to his injury and avoid confrontation with other males.
What is Fat Bear Week?
FAT Bear Week is an annual event held in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, celebrating the resilience and survival skills of brown bears as they prepare for winter hibernation.
Each autumn, from late September to early October, the park showcases a bracket-style competition where the public votes on which bear has bulked up the most over the summer months.
These bears, primarily found at Brooks River, spend the summer months feasting on salmon to build up their fat reserves, which are crucial for their survival during the long hibernation period.
The competition not only highlights their impressive weight gain but also raises awareness of the bears’ ecosystem and the importance of preserving it.
Fans follow the transformations of specific bears, often comparing before and after photos, and vote on their favourite “fattest” bear until a winner is crowned “Fat Bear Champion.”
The event has grown popular worldwide, combining education about wildlife conservation with a fun and engaging way to connect people to nature.
“Resilience in the wake of pain and conflict is written on Chunk’s face,” Chunk’s profile reads.
The third bear in the running is 856, who is known for ruling the Katmai kingdom with violence.
However, 856 has since retired from his ruling days and now spends his time preparing for the winter rather than governing others.
Finally, the last contender for the Fat Bear Week final four is the rookie, 602 Flotato.
The incomer became a top influencer at the river and spent his time lounging around.
Photos caught Flotato floating on his back using a dead salmon as an eye mask.
There are just hours left to vote for your favorite of the Fat Bear Final Four.
