Quick Read
Fat Bear Week 2025 runs September 23–30 at Katmai National Park, Alaska.Bears compete in daily head-to-head matchups; public votes decide the winner.Over one million votes were cast in 2024 from more than 100 countries.This year’s record salmon run has led to less bear conflict and more play.Fat Bear Week spotlights brown bears’ survival strategy before hibernation.Katmai’s Legendary Bears Bulk Up for Fat Bear Week 2025
Every autumn, the wild rivers of Alaska’s Katmai National Park become the stage for one of nature’s most endearing spectacles—and a global online sensation. Fat Bear Week 2025, running from September 23 to 30, invites the world to witness and celebrate brown bears as they gorge on salmon in preparation for the long hibernation ahead. This year, the contest promises more excitement than ever, fueled by a historic salmon run and a cast of both familiar champions and rising stars.
How Fat Bear Week Works: From Salmon Feasts to the Champion’s Crown
Fat Bear Week isn’t just a quirky internet event—it’s a single-elimination tournament where each day, two bears face off in a head-to-head matchup. Voters, spanning over a hundred countries, choose the bear they believe best exemplifies bulk and survival prowess. The bear with the most votes advances, and the process repeats until one is crowned champion. Along the way, fans pore over before-and-after photos, livestreams, and detailed bear biographies, learning about their feeding habits, personalities, and unique features.
Participation is simple: visit fatbearweek.org between noon and 9 p.m. Eastern time (9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pacific) from September 23–30, select your favorite bear, and cast your vote. To keep things fair, only one vote per email address is allowed. Fat Bear Junior, a contest for cubs, set the stage the week before, with the adult bracket revealed on September 22.
Icons of Fat Bear Week: Otis, Grazer, Chunk, Holly, and Bear Force One
The competition’s legends are as beloved as they are rotund. Otis, the venerable four-time champion, remains a fan favorite—though his presence this year is uncertain. Grazer, the powerful female who claimed back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024, returns with her formidable appetite and steely resolve. Other contenders like Chunk (#32), Holly (#435, champion in 2019), and the massive 747 “Bear Force One,” who tips the scales at a staggering 1,400 pounds, add drama and intrigue to the bracket.
Each bear has a story. Last year, Grazer triumphed after a season marked by tense encounters, including a match against Chunk, who months earlier had killed one of her cubs. This year, the mood has shifted: thanks to abundant salmon, there’s noticeably less fighting and more play among the bears, according to Katmai’s interpretation program manager, Matt Johnson (NPR).
Why Fat Bears Matter: Survival, Science, and the Spirit of Katmai
Fat Bear Week is more than a popularity contest—it’s a vivid lesson in wildlife adaptation. During hibernation, brown bears don’t eat or drink for months, losing up to one-third of their body weight. Their survival hinges on accumulating vast fat reserves, mostly from the protein-rich salmon that crowd the Brooks River. The river’s unique geography, with its famous waterfalls and live “bearcams,” offers an unrivaled opportunity to observe these animals up close, whether you’re in Alaska or watching from your living room halfway around the world.
As Katmai Park Superintendent Mark Sturm notes, “The astonishing salmon runs in Katmai are essential to the survival of the park’s ecosystem and brown bears.” The abundance of sockeye salmon not only sustains the bears but also supports one of the healthiest wild salmon populations on Earth, making Katmai and Bristol Bay a living showcase of ecological richness (National Park Service).
The Global Phenomenon: Millions Tune In, Vote, and Learn
What began in 2014 as a local celebration has become a worldwide event. Last year, more than one million votes were cast from over a hundred countries. The bears, oblivious to their fame, have achieved a rare kind of celebrity—captivating viewers with their antics, floating effortlessly on rivers, and sparking viral moments. One video, captured by a traveler and highlighted by PetHelpful, showed a massive brown bear drifting downriver, its chunky paws bobbing behind, sparking both awe and amusement among online audiences.
The science behind their buoyancy is as fascinating as their appearance. Bears float so well thanks to thick layers of fat beneath the skin—essential for insulation and nourishment through the freezing months. That fat, less dense than water, keeps these heavy animals afloat, turning a simple swim into a spectacle of nature’s engineering.
Bearcams, Biographies, and Community: How to Join the Fun
Fat Bear Week is a collaborative effort, powered by the National Park Service, Explore.org, and the Katmai Conservancy. The Explore.org bearcams offer a front-row seat to the action at Brooks Falls, where dozens of bears fish for salmon from late June through mid-October. Viewers can watch highlights, read bear biographies, and even fill out their own tournament brackets, predicting which bear will take the crown.
Whether you’re a veteran fan rooting for Otis or a newcomer marveling at the sheer size of Bear Force One, there’s a place for everyone in the Fat Bear community. Social media buzzes with memes, commentary, and fan campaigns. The event bridges continents and cultures, drawing nature lovers, scientists, and casual observers into a shared celebration of wildness and resilience.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Fat Bear Week
As September draws to a close, the world will watch as one bear is crowned the champion of Fat Bear Week 2025. Yet beyond the fun, the event serves a deeper purpose—educating the public about wildlife conservation, ecological balance, and the importance of protecting habitats like Katmai. In a time when wild spaces face mounting challenges, Fat Bear Week reminds us that nature’s stories are best told by those who live them, one salmon feast at a time.
Fat Bear Week 2025 is more than a playful contest—it’s a living testament to the power of ecological abundance and public engagement. The bears of Katmai, in their quest for winter survival, draw millions into their world, teaching us about adaptation, resilience, and the simple joy of watching nature unfold. As the votes roll in, the real winner is the connection forged between people and the wild.