From NPR · · 2m
Alaska's bears compete in biggest Fat Bear Week ever
Katmai National Park's annual tournament celebrates brown bears bulking up for hibernation, with a record 16 competitors and a generational shift underway.
In brief
Katmai National Park's annual tournament celebrates brown bears bulking up for hibernation, with a record 16 competitors and a generational shift underway. Fat Bear Week uses a public voting tournament to teach people about bear ecology while showcasing the dramatic seasonal weight gain bears need to survive winter…
Record bracket for bear tournament
Fat Bear Week 2026 features 16 bears competing in a single-elimination tournament starting September 22, up from 12 in recent years. Public voting determines which bear packed on the most pounds for hibernation.
“A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they're off to a strong start.”
Cubs signal ecosystem health
Park officials report more cubs at Brooks Camp than seen in years, with 37 cubs counted at Brooks River this season. The influx reflects the vitality of Katmai's ecosystem and signals a generational shift among the bears.
“There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time.”
New contenders enter the ring
Bear 89, nicknamed Backpack, and Bear 151 Walker are among new competitors this year. Backpack earned his name after an injury forced him to ride on his mother's back as a cub, while Walker is known as one of the river's most dominant bears.
Defending champ Chunk seeks repeat
Last year's winner, Bear 32 Chunk, weighed over 1,200 pounds and won voters over despite a broken jaw and time spent playing with younger bears. His victory was a redemption story after he killed a cub the previous year.
Mothers and resilience matter
Single adult females face extra challenges helping cubs get enough calories. Bear 806 adopted an older cub while raising her own, and Bear 909 prepared for hibernation after losing both her cubs this year.
“When you're voting, consider the challenges of a bear's life.”
Hyperphagia fuels the feast
Bears endure hyperphagia, a relentless hunger that drives them to pack on fat for winter survival. Adult males can gain from 600 pounds in summer to over 1,000 pounds by fall, a dramatic transformation captured in before-and-after photos.
Global audience votes for bears
Last year's Fat Bear Week drew over 1.7 million votes from more than 100 countries. The park uses the tournament to teach the public about brown bears, sockeye salmon, and their ecosystem in Katmai's 4.2 million acres.
The headline
Fat Bear Week uses a public voting tournament to teach people about bear ecology while showcasing the dramatic seasonal weight gain bears need to survive winter.
