Fat Bear Week Begins at Katmai National Park, Alaska
Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska has launched its annual Fat Bear Week. This event features 12 hefty bears competing to gain weight and win public approval.
The park announced the tournament bracket on Tuesday evening. Voting commenced on the official Fat Bear Week website at noon on Wednesday.
This year's lineup includes the 2023 Fat Bear Week champion, Grazer, along with other returning favorites: Chunk, Walker, 747, 164, and 901. The competition also introduces several new, rotund brown bear participants.
"Fat Bear Week celebrates success and survival," the Fat Bear Week website states. It recognizes the resilience, adaptability, and strength of Katmai's brown bears.
The public can vote daily for their preferred voluminous bears, advancing them in the competition. The overall winner will be determined in the final voting round on Tuesday.