October 9, 2024, 10:25 am | Read time: 2 minutes
The annual “Fat Bear Week” in Alaska initially sounds like a competition that isn’t necessarily positive. However, voting for what is probably the “fattest bear in the world” has an important cause. This year, it even got quite personal.
For ten years now, a somewhat bizarre competition between bears has been taking place in Alaska, but it still has a lot of fans. During the annual “Fat Bear Week” in Katmai National Park, bear enthusiasts can vote for their favorite animal and observe as the bears bulk up for winter. As reported by NBCNews and others, viewers decide which bear they think is best prepared for winter. Grazer, who clinched the 2023 title, once again earned the distinction of being possibly the “fattest bear” in the world. This year, it seemed she had significant competition from her closest rival.
Grazer beats Chunk in “Fat Bear Contest”
Grazer came to the national park in 2005 and has since developed into a skillful fisherwoman. Her adept technique of spearing salmon with her claws and swiftly catching even the smallest and weakest fish has garnered her a dedicated following.
Since living in the national park, Grazer has already reared three litters of cubs, according to the website “explore.org,” which runs the competition. However, this year, the masterful fisher-bear faced a heartbreaking loss.
In July 2024, her two cubs were washed over the waterfalls. The current swept both siblings to Chunk, the river’s most dominant bear. Although Grazer bravely defended her cubs, one died from the injuries inflicted by Chunk.
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Why probably the fattest bear in the world was chosen
But the surviving cub is probably following in his mother’s footsteps. He was a contender for the junior prize of “Fat Bear Week,” an event that traditionally precedes the main competition for the title of fattest bear in Katmai Park. Chunk’s attack has, therefore, made him two serious enemies.
This curious competition has been raising awareness of bears and their endangered ecosystem for ten years now. This is because winters are particularly long and cold in Alaska. Good preparation for hibernation is, therefore, essential for the bears living there. During the cold season, bears lose up to a third of their weight. Or potentially even more if, like Grazer, they are also tasked with nourishing cubs during the winter.