Fat Bear Week Celebrates Alaska's Giant Brown Bears

Vote for your favorite bear and learn about their incredible journey. Your support helps protect these magnificent creatures and their habitat.

, and ASMedia

2025 October 1 . 8:25 PM

1 min read

In the center of the image we can see polar bears. At the bottom there is snow. In the background... — In the center of the image we can see polar bears. At the bottom there is snow. In the background there is grass.

Fat Bear Week Celebrates Alaska's Giant Brown Bears

Katmai National Park's brown bears are renowned for their impressive size, with some individuals reaching a staggering 650 kg. This annual growth spurt is fuelled by a rich salmon diet and is crucial for their survival during hibernation. Fat Bear Week, an online competition, celebrates these magnificent creatures and raises awareness for their conservation.

The bears' bulking phase, hyperphagia, sees them consuming the fattest, sweetest, and most protein-rich foods available. Coastal Alaskan brown bears can gain over 2 kg per day during this period. However, this growth comes with challenges. Male bears face injuries or death from rival fights, while females risk losing litters due to insufficient body fat. Fat Bear Week, starting in 2014, pairs bears in single elimination matches. Voters consider not just size, but also the bears' life histories, reflecting the harsh environment and competition for resources. The competition has grown into a global phenomenon, fostering public engagement with wildlife and supporting habitat protection.

Fat Bear Week is more than just a fun competition. It highlights the incredible adaptations of these bears and the importance of preserving their habitat. By considering the bears' life histories, voters appreciate the challenges they face and the resilience they exhibit. The competition has become a powerful tool for conservation, engaging people worldwide in the protection of these magnificent creatures.