A Unique Tradition: Fat Bear Week
The cool breeze in the air is more than just a sign that it’s time to grab your coat. It also marks the arrival of one of the internet’s most beloved annual events: Fat Bear Week. This tradition, now in its 11th year, has grown from a simple Facebook post into a global celebration of the fattest bears in Katmai National Park, Alaska.
Fat Bear Week is an event organized by Katmai National Park in partnership with the media organization Explore. During this time, people can vote for their favorite bear based on how well-prepared they are for the long winter hibernation. Each bear is assigned a number and participates in a March Madness-style bracket. The more pounds a bear gains, the more votes they receive. And the votes come in fast—over a million each year.
Why Fat Bear Week Matters
At Brooks River, there’s a unique opportunity to get to know the bears as individuals. Most of the bears that visit the river return year after year, allowing visitors and researchers alike to form connections with them. According to Mike Fitz, a naturalist with Explore, Fat Bear Week gives the public a chance to choose the fattest and most successful bear of the year. It also allows for reflection on the ecosystem that supports these animals.
There are over 2,200 brown bears living in Katmai National Park. As winter approaches, they spend weeks eating as much as possible to build up fat reserves that will sustain them during hibernation. However, the selection of the “fattest” bear isn’t just about size. Different bears have different needs. For example, mother bears must gain enough fat to support their cubs while nursing, while younger males need extra strength for mating opportunities.
A Personal Favorite
While many rangers avoid publicly choosing favorites, Fitz admits he has a soft spot for Bear 32, known as Chunk. Despite breaking his jaw in June, Chunk has shown incredible resilience. He has had to deal with the injury on his own and remains one of the largest and most dominant bears at Brooks River. Although Fitz often mispredicts the winner, he believes Chunk is certainly deserving of the title.
Voting for Fat Bear Week continues through September 30, when Explore and Katmai will announce the newest Fattest Bear. For those interested in preparing for next year, the national parks offer live camera feeds of popular bear spots. These feeds allow viewers around the world to watch how brown bears live in the wild.
A Growing Phenomenon
Fitz acknowledges that the event might seem a bit strange or goofy at first, but he believes it serves an important purpose. It encourages people to think about how a bear survives and what challenges they face. This connection can lead to a deeper appreciation for the ecosystem that supports these animals.
Ultimately, Fat Bear Week is more than just a fun competition. It’s a way for people to fall in love with individual bears and consider how they can help protect the environment that sustains them.
