Tuesday, September 23rd, marks the official start to Katmai National Park and explore.org‘s legendary Fat Bear Week, where people around the world are given the opportunity to vote on the chunkiest grizzly bear of the year.
Why Are Fat Bears Important?
The grizzly bears of Katmai National Park reach their fattest points in the late summer and early fall as a result of a summer-long effort to prepare for hibernation. They feed on the richest, most accessible foods they can get their hands on, which tends to be salmon in Katmai. Tons of bears feast on salmon from late June until mid October in the Brooks River, offering one of the most ample supplies of the fish in the world.
While participants in Fat Bear Week are voting for the fattest bear, there’s plenty to consider beyond just size. It’s really about success, meant to celebrate the bears that overcame challenges, did the best prep for winter, and how big they really got.
Fat Bear Week
Fat Bear Week starts today, Tuesday, September 23rd, with the first 2 pairings opening to the public at 9am Pacific time. 128’s Yearling is going head-to-head with bear 609, while bear 503 is taking on bear 901.
12 bears will go head-to-head in a bracket tournament, with 4 bears receiving byes to the second round. Fat Bear Jr. finished up one September 19th, with 128’s Yearling taking the victory.
