Fat Bear Week is almost here! This unique event celebrates the remarkable transformation of Katmai National Park and Preserve’s brown bears as they prepare for winter hibernation. These bears dedicate their summer and early fall to consuming as much salmon as possible, building up crucial fat reserves that will sustain them through the long, cold months ahead. The competition not only highlights the bears’ impressive weight gain but also raises awareness about the importance of healthy salmon runs and the delicate ecosystems they support.
Fat Bear Week provides a compelling glimpse into the lives of these magnificent creatures and the challenges they face in a changing environment. It’s a chance to learn about their feeding habits, survival strategies, and the vital role they play in the Alaskan wilderness. Starting September 23rd, you can join the global community of bear enthusiasts to marvel at their transformations and cast your vote for the ‘fattest’ and most successful bear of the year.
This article will provide all the essential information you need about Fat Bear Week 2025, including when and where to vote, why this event matters, and a look at some of the past champions. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Katmai’s brown bears and celebrate their incredible journey to fatten up for winter!
What is Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual online tournament celebrating the brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve as they prepare for winter hibernation. During this time, the bears gorge themselves on salmon, gaining significant weight to survive the winter months without food. The week-long event features online voting where people from around the world can choose their favorite fat bear based on before-and-after photos and live webcam footage.
The event started as ‘Fat Bear Tuesday’ in 2014 and has since grown into a week-long international phenomenon, receiving millions of votes each year. It’s a fun and engaging way to learn about the natural history of bears and the importance of a healthy ecosystem. According to Charlie Annenberg, founder of Explore.org, Fat Bear Week celebrates the success, adaptability, and resiliency of Katmai’s bears.
The competition showcases the bears’ impressive weight gain and highlights the importance of a thriving salmon population, which is essential for their survival. The National Park Service (NPS) emphasizes that a fat bear is a successful bear, indicating they are healthy and ready for the winter. Ultimately, Fat Bear Week is a celebration of nature’s resilience and the incredible adaptations of these amazing animals.
When is Fat Bear Week 2025?
Fat Bear Week 2025 will take place from September 23rd through September 30th. This is when bear enthusiasts worldwide can cast their votes online for their favorite chunky contenders. During this week, daily matchups will pit two bears against each other in a bracket-style tournament. Viewers can observe the bears through live streams and photo comparisons, then vote for who they believe is the ‘fattest’ and most prepared for hibernation.
Voting is open daily from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST). The competition culminates on September 30th, when the bear with the most votes will be crowned the champion. It’s a week full of excitement, as fans eagerly track the progress of their favorite bears and rally support for their chosen champion.
So mark your calendars for September 23rd to 30th, and get ready to participate in the annual celebration of these impressive, salmon-gorging giants!
How to Vote in Fat Bear Week
Voting in Fat Bear Week is easy and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Starting September 23rd, head to the Explore.org website, the official host of the competition. The website will feature daily matchups between bears, showcasing before-and-after photos and information about each contender.
To cast your vote, simply select the bear you believe is the ‘fattest’ or most successful in their preparation for hibernation. You can vote once per matchup each day. The voting period is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST), so be sure to get your vote in during that time.
Explore.org implements measures to prevent fraudulent entries and ensure fair voting. They closely monitor for bots and duplicate votes to maintain the integrity of the competition. By participating, you’re not only celebrating these amazing animals but also supporting the conservation efforts at Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Why Fat Bear Week Matters
While Fat Bear Week is a lighthearted and entertaining event, it carries a deeper significance. It highlights the importance of a healthy ecosystem and the challenges bears face in a changing climate. For the approximately 2,200 brown bears in Katmai National Park, accumulating fat is a matter of survival. Bears can lose up to one-third of their body weight during hibernation, and females need sufficient fat reserves to successfully reproduce.
Fat Bear Week also brings global attention to Katmai’s thriving sockeye salmon runs, a vital food source for the bears. These salmon provide the essential calories bears need to build up their fat stores. A single bear can consume over 40 salmon a day, totaling around 100,000 calories. Without a healthy salmon population, bear reproduction rates decline, cub survival drops, and the entire ecosystem suffers. As the NPS explains, Fat Bear Week raises awareness by bringing the relationship between the bears and the salmon to the forefront.
Moreover, Fat Bear Week underscores the impact of climate change on these natural processes. Salmon thrive in cold water, and rising temperatures threaten their populations. The event serves as a reminder of the need to preserve healthy ecosystems for the benefit of all wildlife in Katmai.
Past Fat Bear Week Winners
The Fat Bear Week competition has seen several fan favorites rise to the top over the years. Each bear has their own unique story and strategy for packing on the pounds. Grazer (Bear 128) won two years in a row, in 2023 and 2024, making her the first mother bear to win. She is known for her assertive fishing style and willingness to challenge larger males. Chunk (Bear 32), who broke his jaw earlier in 2025 but remains one of the largest bears on the river, is also a strong contender.
Other notable winners include Otis (Bear 480), a four-time champion recognized for his patient sit-and-wait technique, and 747, one of the heaviest bears ever seen at Brooks River. Since bears aren’t collared or tagged, rangers identify them by physical traits like scars, ear shape, and behavior.
These winners exemplify the success and resilience of Katmai’s brown bears, and their stories continue to captivate viewers worldwide during Fat Bear Week.
Conclusion
Fat Bear Week 2025 promises to be another exciting celebration of nature’s bounty and the incredible adaptations of Katmai’s brown bears. From September 23rd to 30th, viewers around the globe can witness the impressive transformations of these bears as they prepare for hibernation and participate in the fun of voting for their favorite fat contender.
Beyond the entertainment, Fat Bear Week serves as a reminder of the importance of healthy ecosystems and the impact of climate change on wildlife. By raising awareness about the relationship between bears and salmon, the event encourages conservation efforts and promotes the preservation of Katmai National Park and Preserve for future generations.
So get ready to join the fun, cast your votes, and celebrate the remarkable journey of these magnificent creatures as they gear up for the long winter ahead. Don’t miss Fat Bear Week 2025—it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!
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