For the first time ever, Fat Bear Week is featuring mother bears and their cubs in the annual brackets-style contest organized by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. The event showcases the park’s largest brown bears, which feast on salmon from the Brooks River to bulk up before their winter hibernation.
Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz mentioned the abundance of bear families at the river this year, leading to the inclusion of five mother bears and their cubs in Fat Bear Week. Fitz emphasized that the health and size of a cub directly correlate with the mother’s efforts.
Fat Bear Week, established in 2014, has gained significant popularity, inspiring similar events like Fat Marmot Week in Colorado. Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast, and Fitz expects voting numbers to surpass that figure this year. The competition features 16 bears or bear families in a single-elimination bracket tournament fueled by a plentiful salmon run.
The reigning champion, Chunk, also known as Bear 32, clinched victory last year despite nursing a broken jaw and weighing over 1,200 pounds. However, Fitz highlighted potential contenders this year, including Bear 151, known as Walker, who has consistently gained weight annually, earning the nickname “pear-shaped.”
Another notable participant is Bear 89, or Backpack, who overcame a severe limp in adolescence to become a robust competitor. The focus this year is on mother bears and their cubs, with five maternal pairs showcased in the bracket, each with unique stories and characteristics.
Fitz emphasized the critical role of fat accumulation for bear survival during winter hibernation, particularly for females nurturing their cubs. The success of the Katmai bears is attributed to the protection of sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay, renowned for its rich salmon runs.
Despite Bristol Bay’s thriving salmon population, Fitz cautioned about the challenges faced by other Alaskan salmon due to climate change impacts. Fat Bear Week serves as a platform to highlight the importance of healthy salmon populations in sustaining ecosystems.
Enthusiasts can vote online throughout the week, with the winner of Fat Bear Week set to be announced on September 29.