For the first time ever, Fat Bear Week now features robust mother bears and their adorable cubs. The annual competition, organized by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, showcases the park’s hefty brown bears feasting on salmon at the Brooks River to bulk up for the upcoming winter hibernation.
According to Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz, this year witnessed a higher number of bear families at the river than ever before. As a result, five mother bears and their cubs are being highlighted in Fat Bear Week to share their stories, emphasizing the crucial role of mothers in nurturing healthy cubs.
The competition, which started in 2014, has gained significant popularity, drawing over 1.7 million votes last year. Fitz, now a resident naturalist for Explore.org, expects even higher participation this year. Sixteen bears or bear families are battling in a single-elimination tournament, fueled by a bountiful salmon run.
Among the contenders, Chunk, also known as Bear 32, stands out as the reigning champion from last year, reaching an impressive weight of over 1,200 pounds despite nursing a broken jaw. However, Fitz points out rising stars like Bear 151, nicknamed Walker, who consistently gains weight each year, earning the affectionate moniker “pear-shaped.”
Another notable contender is Bear 89, or Backpack, who overcame a severe limp in his adolescence to become a formidable competitor. The emphasis this year is on mother bears and their vital role in ensuring their and their cubs’ survival through the winter months.
Fitz stresses the importance of female bears accumulating fat reserves during summer and fall to endure hibernation and support their cubs’ birth and survival. The success of these mother bears in raising healthy cubs reflects the abundance of salmon in the region, particularly in Bristol Bay, a critical habitat for sustaining the bears’ well-being.
While celebrating the flourishing salmon runs in Bristol Bay, Fitz warns of challenges faced by other Alaskan salmon populations due to climate change impacts. Fat Bear Week serves as a platform to showcase the positive impact of healthy salmon populations on ecosystems, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
Enthusiasts can cast their votes online throughout the week, with the winner set to be announced on Sept. 29.