I’ve always been captivated by the unique events that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. One such event that has gained immense popularity over the years is Fat Bear Week. This quirky yet educational celebration not only highlights the impressive physical transformations of brown bears in Katmai National Park but also engages the public in a fun and interactive way.
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What is Fat Bear Week?
In 2014, Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve launched the first-ever Fat Bear Week. This entertaining contest, organized by the National Park Service in collaboration with explore.org, highlights the brown bears residing in the park. Instead of choosing the cutest bear, participants select their favorite based on size.
The single elimination format allows only the bear with the highest number of votes to move on to the subsequent round. Ultimately, a champion is declared at the end of the competition!
Why is Fat Bear Week held?
In the bear community, gaining extra weight for winter is not only welcomed but also crucial. Most brown bears hibernate in dens during the cold months to escape freezing temperatures and save energy, especially since food becomes limited. According to the National Park Service, Alaskan brown bears can hibernate for a duration of five to eight months.
To prepare for this extended period of sleep, these bears must consume as much food as they can. The Alaskan variety, being the largest of their species, has high caloric needs. Leading up to hibernation, they can eat between 80 to 90 pounds of food daily, indulging in everything from fish and deer to herbs and berries.
These remarkable feeding habits allow bears to typically gain three to six pounds of fat each day. This stored fat is vital for energy during the winter when bears enter a deep state of hibernation. Essentially, the heavier a bear is before hibernation, the more advantageous it is!
Fat Bear Week serves multiple purposes beyond just entertainment. Firstly, it raises awareness about bear conservation and the importance of protecting natural habitats like Katmai National Park. By engaging a global audience, it highlights the challenges that bears face in their natural environment, including habitat loss and climate change.
Additionally, Fat Bear Week provides an opportunity for people to connect with nature in a fun and engaging way. The event encourages individuals to learn more about wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation efforts while fostering a sense of community among participants who share a passion for nature.
Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of healthy ecosystems in supporting wildlife populations. The success of Katmai’s bears relies heavily on healthy salmon runs and pristine river systems, making it crucial to protect these vital habitats for future generations.
What’s at Fat Bear Week 2023?
The 2023 champion is a protective mother bear who has raised two groups of cubs and frequently confronts larger bears, including adult males, according to the National Park Service.
Her name is 128 Grazer, and she outperformed her final rival, 32 Chunk, by pushing him away from their shared fishing area. Grazer garnered 108,321 votes while Chunk received 23,134, as reported by Explore.org, which oversees the online voting for the NPS.
Grazer was first spotted at Katmai’s Brooks River in 2005 when she was a young cub. Since then, she has become one of the top fishers at Brooks River, excelling in various fishing locations, according to the Park Service.
Schedule of Fat Bear Week 2023 for reference:
- September 26: Fat Bear Junior Bracket revealed during a live play by play at 3PM AKDT/7PM EDT*
- September 28 – 29: Fat Bear Junior voting open**
- October 2: Fat Bear Week bracket reveal live at 3PM AKDT/7PM EDT
- October 3: Premiere of Fat Bear Week in the Classroom video series on explore.org
- October 4: Live Chat at 3PM AKDT/7PM EDT– Welcome to Fat Bear Week*
- October 4 – 10 Fat Bear Week voting open**
- October 10: Live Chat at 3pm AK – Fat Bear Tuesday (end of Fat Bear Week)*
Fat Bear Week 2024: Kicks Off Next Week
The only situation where discussing someone’s weight is acceptable is when it involves bears. During the summer and fall, bears gain a lot of weight in preparation for winter. Therefore, in October, Katmai National Park collaborates with explore.org to host Fat Bear Week, a bracket-style competition resembling March Madness that aims to determine the heaviest bear.
Fat Bear Week Jr. focuses on the nutritious diets of younger grizzly bears and starts on Thursday, September 26, continuing through Friday. The matchups for the larger bears will be revealed on September 30, showcasing this year’s participants for the main Fat Bear Week. Competition kicks off on October 2, allowing voters to participate in matchups from 12pm to 9pm ET, with new matchups introduced daily until October 8.
How voting works?
Are you ready to select your favorite bear in the fattest bear contest? Voting will start on the contest website on October 2 and run until October 8. You can log onto the site anytime between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST to submit your vote for the day.
Each day will feature two match-ups with four different bears competing. The bear that wins will move on to the next round to face another Alaskan brown bear.
After you click on the photos of your chosen bear, you’ll need to enter your email address to officially cast your vote. (According to the contest rules, only one vote is permitted per email!)
While the contest is inherently subjective, participants are encouraged to vote for the bear that “best represents fatness and success” among brown bears. At the end of the competition, you can check if other voters shared your opinions!
Eager to start voting?
(Voting gives you a chance to appreciate these bears from a distance! Find out how to act if you come across one in real life).
Who are the bears of Fat Bear Week?
The adult brown bear competitors for this year will be announced on September 30, so keep an eye out for updates. In the meantime, here’s some information about a few of the fat bears from 2023:
Bear 32 Chunk is easy to identify due to his narrow eyes and a noticeable scar on his snout. He has historically been on the heavier side, and last year he showcased a round belly as he prepared for hibernation.
Female bear 128 Grazer is distinguished by her light-colored fur and bright blonde ears. Although males typically weigh more than females, she competes strongly in the contest and is recognized as one of the heaviest bears in the park.
Another female competitor worth mentioning is “435 Holly.” She consistently gains weight during the fall season. Her profile also states that she resembles the shape and color of a lightly toasted marshmallow.
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