Fat Bear Week, an annual contest held by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, has expanded this year to feature mother bears and their cubs for the first time. The event celebrates the park’s hefty brown bears, who feast on salmon to bulk up before hibernation. According to Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz, this year’s competition includes five mother bears and their offspring, highlighting the correlation between a cub’s health and its mother’s efforts.
The contest, which began in 2014, has gained significant popularity, drawing over 1.7 million votes last year. Fitz, who is now the resident naturalist for Explore.org, anticipates even more participation this year. Sixteen bears or bear families compete in a bracket-style tournament, with Chunk, also known as Bear 32, being a prominent contender after winning last year’s competition.
Apart from Chunk, emerging bears like Bear 151, nicknamed Walker, are catching the attention of enthusiasts. Fitz praises Walker’s consistent weight gain, dubbing him a “pear-shaped” bear. Additionally, Bear 89, known as Backpack, overcame a serious injury during adolescence to become a strong competitor.
The focus this year is on mother bears, emphasizing their crucial role in ensuring cubs’ survival through the winter. Female bears rely on fat reserves to endure hibernation and nurture their young. The presence of numerous cubs returning to Brooks River indicates healthy mother bears from the previous year.
The contest features mother bears such as Bear 132, Bear 284 (Electra), Bear 610, Bear 806, and Bear 901, along with their respective cubs. These bears showcase diverse characteristics and stories, reflecting the resilience and generosity of mother bears in the wild.
Fitz emphasizes the importance of protecting sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay to sustain the thriving bear population in Katmai. While Bristol Bay has seen robust salmon runs, other Alaskan salmon populations face challenges, potentially due to climate change impacts. Fitz underscores the significance of maintaining healthy salmon runs for ecosystem balance.
Enthusiasts can participate in Fat Bear Week by voting online throughout the week, with the winner set to be announced on September 29.