The votes of people from all over the globe will determine the winners of Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week. Newcomers and returning visitors alike caught salmon in the summer and gaining weight before going into hibernation.
The staff at the park don’t assess bears using a scale, however. Park spokesperson Cynthia Hernandez says that like beauty, fatness lies dependent on the viewer.
“We depend on the public and viewers of the bears to determine who is the most fluffy one, and who has gained more weight in the last month,” Hernandez said. “You can see who appears to be the most hefty at the moment, who appears to be the roundest or you believe is the most adorable.”
Weight, Hernandez says, is an indicator of survival before the time bears hibernate during which they may shed up to a third in their weight. Female bears, as well tend to be most likely bear cubs in the event that they gain enough weight in the summer.
The park’s bracket on Monday was reduced to its final four competitors, with voting being cast up to five p.m. Alaska time to decide the contestants for Tuesday’s fattest bear.
The contestants this year comprised newcomer Bear 806, a year-old cub that took home in the Fat Bear Junior contest earlier this month. 806 competed to battle Bear 32 Chunk which has distinct muzzle marks and large hindquarters. Chunk was victorious and is on the verge of winning the finals.
Bear 128, Grazer, Hernadez says is another popular favorite of fans. She is identified by her bell-shaped belly that hangs over the water while she fishes. Bear 128 is famous for battling larger bears to guard her cubs.
Hernandez claims that previous winners are also well-known. Bear 435 Holly was the winner in 2019. She adopted and fostered a cub with the cub she adopted in 2007 and is currently in the hunt for.
“She is stunning this year, too. She’s a big adult female and her earlobes are blonde, and we are thrilled to see her return each the year,”” the woman said.
Naturally, the legendary man of the fall and four-time champion Bear Otis, aka 480 Otis was back. The 27-year-old lion lost to Bear 901 on the day of his defeat.
Bear 901 and her blonde triangular ears, is around 20 years younger than him.
The well-known Brooks Falls is a prime fishing spot for hundreds of bears. According to Hernandez bears, they prefer various locations in the salmon-rich area, depending on age and experience.
“Due to the geochemistry of this area the falls are only six feet long offers numerous opportune areas for bears fishing. Therefore, there’s a spot known as the Office that is located in the lower part of the falls, where a portion of the salmon spawn. The water is a little deeper there.” she added.
Hernandez claims that older bears like Otis are more likely to fish at the Office. Younger bears, on contrary, tend to be a bit more active.
“Some of the bears younger that don’t have the most effective methods for fishing may hang out a bit further downstream, then run to try to catch fish while they swim,” she said.
Fat Bear Week graces the social media feeds of a plethora of millions of users with pictures as well as videos featuring the parks carnivores in fluffy fur. However, Hernandez states that the week also highlights Katmai’s vibrant ecosystem.
“There’s lots to be proud of this week. It’s not just about the fat beautiful, adorable bears, but also the health of the park, the ecosystem as well as Bristol Bay – the waters which feed directly into the Katmai ecosystem as well as in the Brooks River. It’s one of the most healthful and largest salmon runs on earth,” she said.
The public can cast their vote for the 2023 winner on fatbearweek.org.
Images of Bear 128, Bear 435 and Bear 480 were taken with permission from: https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/fat-bear-week-2023.htm
