Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska is launching its 2026 Fat Bear Week competition, an annual tournament celebrating brown bears that accumulate substantial weight before winter hibernation. The bracket features 16 bears, an increase from the 12 participants seen in recent contests, according to park officials. Public voting begins on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with the champion crowned on Sept. 29.
Park Superintendent Mark Sturm emphasized that this year’s competition reflects notable changes in the ecosystem. The park is experiencing record numbers of cubs at Brooks Camp, prompting officials to highlight a generational shift among the bear population. New contenders include Bear 89, nicknamed “Backpack” due to a childhood injury that required him to ride on his mother’s back, and Bear 151 Walker, described as one of the most dominant males at the river.
Last year’s champion, Bear 32 “Chunk,” weighed over 1,200 pounds and captured voters’ attention despite suffering a broken jaw during the competition. The tournament showcases various challenges faced by individual bears, such as mothers nursing cubs and bears recovering from losses. Bear 909, for instance, prepared for hibernation after losing both of her cubs this year. Park Ranger Sarah Bruce encouraged voters to consider the specific circumstances affecting each competitor’s survival.
The brown bears undergo hyperphagia, a condition that drives intense feeding behavior allowing them to accumulate fat reserves essential for surviving winter. Adult males can increase from approximately 600 pounds in summer to over 1,000 pounds by fall. Approximately 2,200 bears inhabit the park’s 4.2 million acres. The annual competition, established in 2014, attracts international participation, with last year’s contest drawing more than 1.7 million votes from over 100 countries. Webcam feeds from Brooks River remain available on Explore.org for viewers to monitor the bears’ activities throughout the tournament.
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