Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve has officially opened online voting for the 10th anniversary edition of Fat Bear Week, the beloved single-elimination bracket tournament celebrating the extraordinary pre-hibernation weight gain of wild brown bears along the Brooks River.
Run in partnership with explore.org, the weeklong competition pits park bears against one another in head-to-head match-ups judged by the global public. Fans compare 'before and after' photographs taken throughout the summer, evaluating which bear best transformed from lean spring awakening to plump autumn titan.
A Decade of Celebrating Brown Bear Survival and Weight Gain
The 2026 bracket features celebrated veteran bruins, including reigning 2025 champion 128 Grazer, a fiercely protective sow known for dominance at the falls, and perennial powerhouse 32 Chunk, a dominant male whose massive girth reflects months of relentless sockeye gorging. Other fan favorites like 747 and 435 Holly also contend for the coveted crown.
Behind the lighthearted viral enthusiasm lies a serious message of wildlife resilience. Katmai's brown bears must consume up to 30 fish or more than 100 pounds of salmon daily during peak summer runs, accumulating hundreds of pounds of fat reserves to survive six months of harsh subarctic winter fasting inside their dens.
“Fat Bear Week is an extraordinary celebration of healthy salmon ecosystems and the resilience of Katmai's brown bears as they pack on hundreds of pounds of fat for winter survival.” — Naomi Boak, Katmai National Park Media Ranger
Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon Fuel Katmai's Majestic Ecosystem
The tournament serves as a global showcase for the unparalleled ecological health of southwest Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed. Fed by the world's largest commercial sockeye salmon run, the Brooks River provides an abundant, undisturbed food source protected by federal conservation status.
Voting takes place daily on fatbearweek.org, with the champion crowned on Fat Bear Tuesday. Millions of ballots are expected from classrooms, offices, and nature enthusiasts worldwide, highlighting how creative digital storytelling can connect public audiences with vital conservation science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fat Bear Week and how does voting work?
Fat Bear Week is an online single-elimination tournament where the public votes on which Katmai brown bear gained the most pre-hibernation fat.
Why is weight gain crucial for Katmai brown bears?
Brown bears do not eat or drink during six months of winter hibernation, relying entirely on stored body fat for warmth and survival.
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