Bear Cub's Comeback: From Near Death to Fat Bear Champ

Bear 89, affectionately known as Backpack, has triumphed in the 2026 Fat Bear Week competition held at Alaska's Katmai National Park. He secured victory with 103,344 votes, narrowly defeating bear 910. This online tournament, now in its 12th year, challenges the public to identify which bears best prepared for winter hibernation by gaining significant weight. This year's event garnered approximately 2.5 million votes. Backpack's win is a testament to his resilience, as he nearly succumbed to a severe leg injury during his cubhood. He has since grown into one of the river's largest male bears.

The competition structure mirrors a basketball tournament, with 16 adult bears initially entered into four brackets: mothers, single females, sub-adults, and adult males. Each round features a head-to-head public vote, with the winner advancing. Notably, the defending champion, bear 32 (Chunk), was eliminated early despite continuing to gain weight with significant dental injuries. Backpack's own journey was close, narrowly winning his semifinal against bear 164 (Bucky). A fat bear is considered a successful bear, as significant weight gain is crucial for surviving hibernation.