ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Get ready for a delightful spectacle of fluff and girth! Fat Bear Week, the beloved annual celebration of Alaska's brown bears and their impressive pre-hibernation weight gains, is officially underway. From March 18th to 24th, online voters will decide which bear has packed on the most pounds after a summer of feasting on succulent sockeye salmon.

Each year, the bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve, located on the Alaska Peninsula, emerge from their dens and spend the summer months relentlessly consuming salmon to build up vital fat reserves for the long winter hibernation. The competition isn’t about who’s the biggest, but who’s gained the *most* weight – a testament to their successful foraging and adaptation to their environment.

Meet the Contenders: This year's lineup is a fascinating mix of returning champions and rising stars. Among the favorites is Otter 747 (747), a perennial contender known for its sheer size and impressive salmon-catching skills. Then there's Holly (480), a mother bear who consistently demonstrates remarkable weight gain while raising her cubs. Keep an eye on Chunk (435), a consistently large male, and Grazer (128), a bear that’s earned its name through diligent foraging. The full roster of bears competing for the crown will be announced closer to the start of voting.

More Than Just a Competition: Fat Bear Week isn't just a fun online poll; it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about brown bears, their vital role in the ecosystem, and the importance of conservation efforts. Katmai National Park and Preserve provides daily updates and fascinating insights into each bear’s behavior, feeding habits, and overall health throughout the week. The event has become a viral sensation, bringing awareness to the park's incredible wildlife and the challenges they face.

How to Participate: Voting is simple and free! Visit the Katmai National Park and Preserve website or social media channels during Fat Bear Week to cast your vote for your favorite bear. Each bear will be presented with “before” and “after” photos, showcasing their impressive transformations throughout the summer. The bear with the most votes at the end of the week is declared the winner, earning the coveted title of “Fattest Bear of 2024.”

So, join the fun, celebrate these magnificent creatures, and help crown the champion of Fat Bear Week! It’s a heartwarming reminder of the power of nature and the incredible resilience of Alaska’s brown bears.

Learn More: https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/fat-bear-week.htm