Fat Bear Week 2025: Who Will Be Crowned the Beefiest Bruin?

Fat Bear Week is more than just a popularity contest; it's an educational event that raises awareness about the natural history of brown bears and their ecosystem. Katmai National Park provides an ideal habitat for these bears, with an abundance of salmon that is crucial for their survival. The competition showcases the bears' remarkable ability to gain weight rapidly in preparation for the long winter months when food is scarce. The event has grown in popularity since its inception, attracting millions of voters worldwide. Each year, the National Park Service provides detailed information and live cameras to help voters make informed decisions. This year's competition features a bracket of 11 bears, each vying for the title of 'beefiest bruin'.

It is an annual competition where brown bears in Katmai National Park, Alaska, compete to gain the most weight before hibernation.

Voting is open to the public on the competition's website and runs through September 30.

Key contenders include 32 Chunk and 609, the 2022 Fat Bear Junior champion, as well as last year's winner, 128 Grazer.

Who do you think will be crowned the "beefiest bruin" this year? Share your thoughts and predictions! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!