Voting has officially commenced for the annual Fat Bear Week contest at Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve, where viewers are tasked with selecting their favorite among a dozen brown bears that have bulked up in preparation for the winter ahead. This tradition, now in its 10th year, serves as a tribute to the resilience of the 2,200 brown bears inhabiting the preserve on the Alaska Peninsula.
These bears rely on the plentiful sockeye salmon that return to the Brooks River, with some bears even displaying impressive acrobatics by snatching fish midair as they navigate the river's obstacles. The bears' ability to fatten up is crucial for their survival during the harsh winter months.
This year's contest was slightly delayed as one anticipated participant, a female bear known as Bear 402, tragically lost her life in a confrontation with a male bear. The incident was captured by park cameras, underscoring the harsh realities these animals face in their quest for survival.
The bracket for this year's competition features 12 bears, with each bear having spent the summer months feasting on salmon to pack on the necessary pounds. Adult male brown bears can weigh between 600 to 900 pounds in mid-summer, but by the time they are ready to hibernate, some can tip the scales at over 1,000 pounds.
Notable matchups in the contest include Bear 909 Jr., the reigning Fat Bear Junior champion, facing off against Bear 519, and Bear 903, nicknamed Gully for his seagull-eating habits, competing against Bear 909, the mother of Bear 909 Jr. The defending champion, Grazer, is also set to defend his title against the winner of this matchup.
With voting open until October 8, fans can participate in this tournament-style bracket to determine which bear will be crowned the fattest of them all. Last year saw over 1.3 million votes cast, highlighting the widespread interest and support for these magnificent creatures.
