The annual bear-eating competition at Alaska’s Katmai National Park is here. This event, known as Fat Bear Week, lets people vote on which bears have gained the most weight before hibernation. The tournament begins on Tuesday, offering a chance to judge the bears based on weight gain, stories, or unique traits.
The competition started almost by chance in 2014. National Park Service ranger Mike Fitz noticed significant weight differences in bears from earlier to later in the summer. Inspired, Fitz devised a way to showcase these transformations, turning it into a one-day event that grew into the week-long contest known today.
Gaining weight is crucial for brown bears. Their survival through winter hibernation relies on stored fat, as their metabolic rate decreases and they live off these reserves, potentially losing up to a third of their body weight.
Fans have diverse criteria for voting. Last year’s winner, Chunk, weighed 1,200 pounds and overcame a broken jaw from a bear fight to claim victory. In 2025, around 1.5 million votes were cast. This year’s contest opens for votes at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, with a new champion announced on September 29.
For photos and more information about participants, visit the Katmai National Park’s website.
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