This year marks a historic inclusion in Fat Bear Week, featuring mother bears and their adorable cubs.
The renowned bracket-style competition held by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve highlights the hefty brown bears that feast on Brooks River salmon to bulk up for winter hibernation.
Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz shared with As It Happens host Nil Kӧksal, “We observed an unprecedented number of bear families at the river this year.”
“To showcase these stories, five mother bears and their cubs are featured in this year’s Fat Bear Week, emphasizing the significant role of mothers in cub development,” Fitz added.
Competitor Bear 910 in Fat Bear Week is the offspring of former champion Beadnose.
Fat Bear Week, originating in 2014, has gained immense popularity, leading to similar events like Fat Marmot Week in Colorado.
Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast, and this year’s competition is expected to surpass that, as stated by Fitz, a former Katmai National Park ranger now serving as the resident naturalist for Explore.org, a key partner in organizing the contest.
Featuring 16 bears or bear families in a single-elimination tournament, the competition intensifies due to a bountiful salmon run.
The reigning champion, Chunk, alias Bear 32, emerged victorious last year, reaching 1,200 pounds despite a broken jaw, earning him a dedicated fan base.
While Chunk remains a top contender, Fitz highlighted potential rising stars like Bear 151, known as Walker, for this year’s competition.
Backpack, once an injured adolescent, has transformed into a formidable contender in Fat Bear Week at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.
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