Skip to content

Fat Bear Week 2022 Returns: Vote for Your Favorite Chubby Contender

Meet the contenders and learn about their incredible lives. Your vote helps protect their habitat and raises awareness.

This is a collage image of American black bear in the water and hanging on the branch of a tree, in...
This is a collage image of American black bear in the water and hanging on the branch of a tree, in this image there are rocks, water and trees.

Fat Bear Week 2022 Returns: Vote for Your Favorite Chubby Contender

Fat Bear Week, an annual online competition hosted by Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, is back. This event, organized by the park and promoted through the online platform Explore.org, celebrates the bulking season of coastal Alaskan brown bears. It's more than just a fun spectacle; it raises conservation awareness and engages the public with these magnificent creatures.

During the bears' hyperphagia period, they feast on the richest foods to prepare for their long winter slumber. Coastal Alaskan brown bears can gain up to 2 kg per day, with some reaching a staggering 650 kg. The competition pairs these bears in single elimination match-ups, with voters choosing the bear that best 'exemplifies fatness and success'.

Fat Bear Week encourages voters to delve into the life histories of the contenders. It highlights the harsh realities these bears face, including competition for resources and mating success. Some bears may spend up to seven months in their dens, conserving energy during the harsh winter. Pregnant female bears even give birth, lactate, and rear cubs during this time.

Since its inception in 2014, Fat Bear Week has grown into a global phenomenon among bear enthusiasts. By participating, you're not just casting a vote for the chubbiest bear; you're supporting habitat protection and fostering engagement with these incredible creatures. So, start exploring the contenders' stories and cast your vote today!

Read also:

Latest