Fat Bear Week is returning for its 11th year! This annual month-long celebration of wildlife and conservation begins in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. Fat Bear Tuesday first started in 2014 not as a serious conservation tool but as a playful celebration. It’s become so popular that it’s grown into a full week of activities celebrating the park’s most famous bears.
Year-round, though, travelers from all over the globe can experience Fat Bear Week magic. Fans can indulge in thrice-daily updates from Katmai staff, follow the “Hall of Champions,” and view the action on a live feed broadcast on the park’s official website. By taking this interactive approach, fans can better immerse themselves in each bear’s journey!
The event culminates in an exciting March Madness-style bracket for public voting. Participants even get to vote on their favorite bears, based on thrilling criteria such as size and the bear’s backstory! This year, 32 Chunk, a 1,600-pound, gladiatorial male bear, will compete in the arena against 128 Grazer — the defending champion. They’re both in the running for the prestigious title!
Otis, the bear famous for his girth and age, stands as an iconic chapter in Fat Bear Week history. After winning the inaugural championship in 2014, he went on to win it all again in 2016, 2017 and 2021. As he hasn’t been seen in a few years, Otis is presumed dead. His spirit nonetheless continues to inspire the mission of the event.
“You can vote for the bear who is fattest, you can vote for the bear whose story touches your heart – it’s up to you.” – Naomi Boak
That’s the purpose of Fat Bear Week—to raise awareness. It underscores why we need to protect Katmai National Park and Preserve. Donations to The Otis Fund directly benefit the conservation and preservation efforts that help protect our national parks, including right here in our own backyard. Last year, more than 1.4 million people from across 60 countries voted in the event. This overwhelming response is an undeniable indication of a world increasingly passionate about protecting wildlife for future generations.
With each passing day the competition just gets more intense and fans look forward to finding out who will become this year’s champion. Fat Bear Week not only highlights the amazing bears of Katmai, it builds community, encourages a love of nature, and embraces some friendly competition. This celebration is both a recognition of their return and our shared commitment to protecting their habitat.
