Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Fat Bear Week now features mother bears and their cubs for the first time. The annual contest highlights the park’s hefty brown bears that feast on salmon from the Brooks River to bulk up before winter hibernation.
“This year witnessed more bear families at the river than ever before,” mentioned Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz during an interview with host Nil Kӧksal on “As It Happens.” Five mother bears and their cubs are being showcased in this year’s Fat Bear Week to share their stories, as a cub’s health and size directly reflect the mother’s dedication.
Fat Bear Week originated in 2014 and has gained popularity, inspiring similar events like Fat Marmot Week in Colorado. Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast, and this year is expected to surpass that number. The competition involves 16 bears or bear families in a bracket-style tournament, all fueled by a bountiful salmon run.
Chunk, also known as Bear 32, is the reigning champion, having won the previous year’s contest by reaching a remarkable 1,200 pounds despite nursing a broken jaw. However, this year introduces potential contenders like Bear 151, nicknamed Walker, who consistently gains weight each year, and Bear 89, named Backpack, who overcame a severe limp in his youth to become a robust competitor.
The focus this year is on mother bears, emphasizing the importance of their weight gain for surviving the winter and nurturing their cubs. The success of female bears is crucial for ensuring the birth of healthy cubs during hibernation. The current bracket highlights five mother bears and their cubs, each with unique stories and characteristics.
The well-being of Katmai’s bears is linked to the conservation of sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay, which holds one of the world’s most significant salmon runs. While Bristol Bay has seen record salmon numbers, other Alaska salmon populations are struggling due to climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems. Fat Bear Week showcases the benefits of healthy salmon runs for ecosystems.
Voting for Fat Bear Week is open online, with the winner set to be announced on September 29th.