FAT bears are an annual delight of Alaska, with the creatures cramming themselves with salmon to see them through the winter.
But only one can take the coveted crown of Fattest Bear of the Year – and we now have a winner for 2025.
32 Chunk has been crowned the Fattest Bear of 2025[/caption]
He gorged his way to victory despite having a broken jaw[/caption]
This time around, the victor was a notorious chubster called 32 Chunk.
He is described as having “narrowly-set eyes, dark brown fur, and a prominent brow ridge” with “a distinctive scar across his muzzle”.
But most importantly, he is a whopper.
Over the years, Chunk has grown a reputation as the “bad boy” of the pack – after killing off other competitors in previous years, all caught on the livestream.
This year, however, he won voters’ hearts by gobbling his way to the top despite a broken jaw.
Locals suspect he sustained this injury during a clash with another male over a lady.
Each year, over a million people vote for the fattest bear on Brooks River, based on before and after photos taken either side of summer.
The week of voting started with 12 bears in the running, but was whittled down to four for the final.
Chunk was introduced as: “Big lad, scar on the muzzle. Belly dragging like a beanbag chair.
“He’s the dominant bad boy of Brock’s River babes.
“All the big boys of Brooks River step aside when this unit rolls in.
“Enigmatic? Maybe. Hungry? Always.”
Hunky Chunk reportedly smashed his way through 42 salmon in ten hours, “and still had room for desert”.
He nabbed the title off 128 Grazer – a butch blonde bear who held the title for two years running – who was also in the final.
Chunk stole the crown off 128 Grazer, who held the title for two years[/caption]
Fat Bear Week began with 12 contenders[/caption]
A staggering 96,350 people gave their vote to the Chunk – ahead of Bear 856 with 63,725.
More than 1.6million votes were cast throughout the week – the most in the contest’s history.
The fourth finalist was called 602 Flotato.
During the summer of 2024, 32 Chunk killed the young cub of reigning fat bear champion 128 Grazer – despite a fierce fightback from the mum.
The death was captured on the the live cameras, and 128 Grazer went on to beat Chunk by more than 40,000 votes.
The same year, the competition was delayed after one of the contestants was killed by another, less-fat bear – also captured on livestream.
The bears go into the summer much skinner after hibernation[/caption]
Katmai National Park in Alaska is home to some of the largest brown bears in the world[/caption]
Katmai park ranger Ashleigh Monaco said during the livestream of the ceremony: “A fat bear means a successful bear.
“A fat bear means that bear is more likely to survive hibernation.”
The Brooks River running through Katmai is known as the home and hunting ground of some of the biggest brown bears in the world.
Large males can balloon to more than half a ton (500kg) by the autumn.
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.
