Sixteen bears are competing in Fat Bear Week 2026, a popular event at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. The contest, now featuring 16 competitors up from last year’s 12, includes the reigning champion, Chunk.
Voting Details
From September 22 through September 29, you can vote daily between 12 and 9 p.m. ET. The winner will be announced at the end of the voting period. Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast from people in more than 100 countries.
Watch the Bears Live
Explore.org provides livestreams of the bears in their natural habitat. Cameras are set at key spots like Brooks Falls, where bears are frequently seen fishing and relaxing. Park rangers offer online talks and answer questions about these animals during the event.
Fattening Up for Winter
Resident naturalist Mike Fitz notes that bears are at their fattest after consuming salmon, berries, and other foods throughout summer. The fat they accumulate allows them to endure months of hibernation without eating. According to ranger Troy Hunt, these bears can fast for four to six months.
More cubs are present in Brooks Camp this year. Over 100 bears have been identified at Brooks River using webcams, highlighting a new generation of bears preparing for winter, as stated by Park Superintendent Mark Sturm.
Meet the Competitors
- 32 Chunk: Last year’s winner, recognized for his quick recovery from a jaw injury.
- 89 Backpack: Known for his brown fur and distinctive blond ears.
- 151 Walker: A robust male with a pear-shaped body climbing the bear ranks.
- 164 Bucky: Developed a unique fishing method at Brooks Falls.
- 903 Gully: Famed for chasing gulls and his unusual feeding habits.
- 132: An experienced mother raising three cubs while preparing for the contest.
- 284 Electra: Competes alongside her cub, 901, and raises two new cubs.
- 610: Overcame injury and has two new cubs, her first litter.
- 806: Adopted another cub while raising her own, known for her nurturing and protective nature.
- 901: Recognized for excellent fat-building and fishing skills, passed on to her cub.
- 620: Independent since last year, hails from a large family.
- 694: Uses alternative feeding spots to avoid older bears while preparing for hibernation.
- 131 Marshmallow: Known for her fishing skills, appears fuller than ever.
- 428 Studious: Daughter of a past champion, earns her name from focused fishing.
- 909: Related to a former winner, recently lost two cubs.
- 910: 909’s sister, finds diverse food sources to fuel herself.
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