Katmai National Park, Alaska – The much-anticipated Fat Bear Week is making its grand return from September 23 to 30, 2025, marking its 11th year as the beloved competition showcasing the fattest and most impressive brown bears in Katmai National Park. This year’s contest promises to be as fierce and chunky as ever, with a dozen Alaskan brown bears vying for the prestigious title of the bear with “peak spherical status.”
Although there is no monetary prize, the excitement and community engagement around the event have continued to skyrocket, with fans encouraged to vote online daily between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. EDT for their favorite hefty bears. This celebration not only highlights the bears’ incredible weight gains but also tells a compelling story about survival in one of the wildest places in Alaska.
A Spectacle of Nature: Watching the Bears Get Ready for Winter
Every year, Alaska brown bears pack on substantial weight, reaching up to around 1,200 pounds in the late summer and fall, preparing to endure the harsh winter hibernation. During this time, bears eat an astounding amount of food to survive months of fasting in their dens. They can gain as much as four pounds a day and typically lose up to a third of their body weight over hibernation.
- 2,200 brown bears inhabit Katmai National Park, alongside moose, wolves, and bald eagles.
- The bears fish for sockeye salmon at Brooks River until late October, their primary source of nutrition before winter.
- Scientists estimate weights cautiously to avoid disturbing these wild animals, with adult females being up to 50% smaller than males.
To help admirers get an up-close view of the competition, the park has set up eight live webcams, including underwater cameras monitoring salmon runs and two cameras positioned at the falls, offering spectacular insights into bear behavior.
The Story Behind Fat Bear Week and Its Growing Popularity
Fat Bear Week began in 2014, conceived by former Katmai National Park ranger Mike Fitz as a single-day event to celebrate the bears’ survival success. Fitz described the event as one that recognizes bears as individuals and shares their inspiring stories.
“There are very few places in the world where you can go watch wild bears and know them as individuals,” Fitz said. “The contest celebrates the success of brown bears and tells their stories — the challenges and the difficulties they face to get fat and survive.”
Since its inception, the competition has expanded to include a Fat Bear Junior contest held from September 18 to 19, which features younger bears and serves as a gateway to the main event.
Last Year’s Highlights and What to Expect in 2025
In the 2023 competition, a notable victory was achieved by the bear known as Grazer 128, who won while caring for a cub — a first in Fat Bear Week history. This added a deeply humanizing layer to the contest, illustrating the complex life these animals lead.
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This year, park rangers are in the process of selecting the official competitors. Fans can anticipate riveting displays of weight and power as these bears battle — albeit virtually — for the title of the chunkiest and most impressive denning contender.
How to Participate and Support the Bears
Enthusiasts can participate by voting for their favorite bear online daily between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. EDT throughout the competition week. Watching the live streams hosted by the park provides an immersive view of bear life in Katmai and supports awareness of wildlife preservation.
Fat Bear Week is more than a fun contest; it spotlights wildlife conservation and the incredible biological journey these magnificent creatures undertake each year.
For more on Fat Bear Week and to watch the webcams live, visit The Independent’s coverage.
Celebrate the Chunkiest Contestants and Join the Fun!
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or simply love a good competition, Fat Bear Week 2025 is a unique way to engage with nature and support animal conservation efforts.
- Cast your vote and cheer for the “tubby titans” of Katmai.
- Follow live streams to witness bears fishing and preparing for winter.
- Learn about the hard work these animals do to survive against the odds.
What do you think about this chunky celebration of nature? Have you ever watched Fat Bear Week or visited Katmai National Park? Share your thoughts and favorite bears in the comments below!