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Injured Bear 'Chunk' Crowned Fat Bear Week Champion
26 Mar
Summary
- Bear 32, known as Chunk, overcame a broken jaw to win.
- Over 1.5 million votes were cast in the Fat Bear Week contest.
- The annual event promotes brown bear survival and weight gain.
Fat Bear Week 2025 concluded with Bear 32, affectionately known as Chunk, claiming the title of champion. This remarkable victory followed a challenging start to the season, as Chunk was observed with a broken jaw and visible scars. His recovery was closely monitored by fans through wildlife cameras at Katmai National Park.
The competition, which began in 2014, serves as an educational initiative by the National Park Service and Explore.org to inform the public about brown bear survival strategies. Each fall, a bracket-style tournament compares 'before' and 'after' photos of bears fattening up for hibernation, with voters selecting the bear best representing healthy weight gain.
Chunk, already recognized as one of the largest males on the Brooks River, faced significant doubt after his injury. However, he successfully continued fishing for salmon, accumulating an estimated 1,200 pounds by the time voting commenced on September 23, 2025. The final matchup pitted Chunk against Bear 856, with Chunk ultimately winning with 96,350 votes to 63,725.
The annual event emphasizes the critical importance of salmon runs in the Brooks River for bears preparing for winter dens. Bears consume nutrient-rich parts of salmon to rapidly increase their fat reserves, which are essential for surviving months without food.
