In Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, the annual Fat Bear Week contest commenced on Wednesday, inviting viewers to select their favourite among a dozen well-fed brown bears preparing for winter. This event, now in its 10th year, honours the tenacity of the 2,200 brown bears inhabiting the preserve, which stretches from Alaska’s southwest corner to the Aleutian Islands. These bears feast on the plentiful sockeye salmon returning to the Brooks River, often catching the fish mid-jump as they navigate a small waterfall to spawn upstream.
A bear’s death delayed the contest introduction this year. Organisers unveiled the contestants on Tuesday, a day later than planned, following the death of a female bear, known as Bear 402, who was killed by a male bear during a fight on Monday. Park cameras, which broadcast live footage throughout the summer, recorded the incident, as well as the death of a cub that fell over the waterfall in late July. “National parks like Katmai protect not only the wonders of nature but also the harsh realities,” stated park spokesperson Matt Johnson. Each bear seen on the webcams competes with others for survival. Explore.org, the nonprofit streaming the bear cameras and co-organising Fat Bear Week, hosted a live discussion about the incident on Monday. Katmai National Park ranger Sarah Bruce mentioned the cause of the fight remains unknown. “We celebrate the success of bears with full stomachs and ample body fat, but their ferocity is real,” said Mike Fitz, explore.org’s resident naturalist. “The risks they face are genuine. Their lives can be tough, and their deaths can be painful.”
This year’s bracket features 12 bears, with eight competing in the first round and four advancing directly to the second round. Throughout the summer, they have been gaining weight. Adult male brown bears generally weigh between 600 and 900 pounds in mid-summer. By hibernation, after consuming up to 30 salmon daily, large males can exceed 1,000 pounds. Female bears are roughly one-third smaller. When voting, fans are encouraged to choose the bear that best represents fatness and success among brown bears.
It’s that time of year again! Voting for Fat Bear Week begins today through October 8. Fat bears indicate the health of @KatmaiNPS – vast public lands that support irreplaceable wildlife. Vote for your favorite and learn more about this stunning place. https://t.co/WRvQmfeh9s pic.twitter.com/yqdtDHHncq
— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) October 2, 2024
Bear 909 Jr., who recently won the Fat Bear Junior contest for the second time, will compete against Bear 519, a young female, in the first round. The victor will face the defending champion, Grazer, one of the most formidable bears on the river. Another match features Bear 903, an 8-year-old male nicknamed Gully for his seagull-eating habits, against Bear 909, the mother of Bear 909 Jr. The winner will challenge a two-time champion, Bear 747, named after the similarly massive airplane.
We know you love it, Fat Bear Week 2024 will be October 2-8! We work with @explore.org and @katmaiconservancy to broadcast to you the bodacious beautiful bears every year. Fat Bear Week and Fat Bear Junior are the only Katmai Fat Bear events hosted by the Park and our partners pic.twitter.com/jRO2d9qV1F
— Katmai National Park (@KatmaiNPS) July 11, 2024
In the other half of the bracket, Bear 856, an older and highly recognisable bear, will face Bear 504, a mother raising her second known litter, in the first round. The winner will compete against possibly the largest bear on the river, 32 Chunk, a 20-year-old male who once consumed 42 salmon in 10 hours and is estimated to weigh over 1,200 pounds. The final first-round match pits Bear 151, a formerly playful young bear now showing dominance, against Bear 901, a solo female returning to the river after her first litter did not survive. The winner will take on Bear 164, known as Bucky Dent due to an indentation in his forehead. Voting for this year’s tournament-style bracket runs through 8 October, with over 1.3 million votes cast last year.
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC News reports on Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, where online voting begins despite the tragic death of a contestant, highlighting the contest’s significance and the bears’ survival strategies.
Despite the tragic loss of a contestant, online voting for this year’s Fat Bear Week contest has started. The annual event at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve celebrates the resiliency of 2,200 brown bears, which gorge on abundant sockeye salmon to gain weight and survive the winter. The contest features 12 bears, with eight facing off in the first round and four receiving byes to the second round. The event is organized by nonprofit explore.org, which streams uncensored bear camera footage and hosts live conversations about the bears’ lives and struggles. The ferocity and risks faced by the bears are highlighted, emphasizing that their lives can be hard and their deaths can be painful.
The 10th year of Fat Bear Week includes notable contestants like Bear 909 Jr., who won the Fat Bear Junior competition for the second time, and defending champion Grazer, described as one of the most formidable bears on the river. Other contestants include Bear 903 (Gully), who developed a taste for seagulls, and Bear 747, a massive bear named after an airplane. The event’s popularity is evident in the significant number of votes cast in previous years, with over 1.3 million votes last year.
The article underscores the importance of national parks like Katmai, which not only protect natural wonders but also the harsh realities of wildlife survival. The death of Bear 402 and the male bear killing a cub highlight the real risks that the bears face. The live conversation hosted by explore.org on the death of Bear 402 emphasizes the ferocity of bears and the risks they face in their daily lives.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Fat Bear Week, focusing on both the celebration of the bears’ resiliency and the harsh realities of their existence. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural habitats and respecting the lives of wild animals.(read more)
- Explore.org highlights Fat Bear Week, a tournament where people vote for the fattest bear at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska, emphasizing survival through fat reserves.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual contest at Katmai National Park where viewers vote for their favorite fattened brown bears.
Why was the contest delayed this year?
The contest was delayed due to the death of Bear 402, who was killed by a male bear during a fight.
How much can a large male bear weigh before hibernation?
Large male bears can weigh well over 1,000 pounds after feasting on salmon.
Who is Bear 747 named after?
Bear 747 is named after the jumbo jet due to his massive size.
When is the voting for Fat Bear Week open until?
Voting for Fat Bear Week is open through October 8.
