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Alaska's Fattest Bears Battle for Hibernation Crown
9 Sep
Summary
- Fat Bear Week returns September 22-29, 2026.
- Over eleven bears compete to be the fattest.
- Fans vote online to crown the champion bear.
Fat Bear Week is set to return from September 22 to September 29, 2026, culminating in the crowning of this year's champion on September 29. This annual online competition, hosted by Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, celebrates the remarkable weight gain of brown bears preparing for hibernation.
Fans worldwide are invited to participate by voting in head-to-head matchups online. The competition highlights the bears' survival skills and successful foraging, primarily on salmon, as they pack on pounds. Eleven distinct bears, each with unique characteristics, are competing for the prestigious title of Fat Bear Week champion.
The event, which began as Fat Bear Tuesday in 2014 and expanded to Fat Bear Week in 2015, is a partnership between Katmai National Park, explore.org, and Katmai Conservancy. It offers a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat as they prepare for the long Alaskan winter.
