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.
