Fat Bear Week is a single-elimination tournament, where bear enthusiasts from around the world vote online for their favorite chunky bear. Each spring, the brown bears of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve emerge from their extended slumber to plump up with fresh salmon. Wildlife cameras document the bears all summer, capturing the drama and joy of the bears’ everyday lives.
Fat Bear Week 2026 winner: Backpack is your champion!
Backpack edged out Bear #910 in an incredibly close vote.
Fat Bear Week semi-final results: Backpack and Bear #910 advance to final
Goodbye, Bucky Dent and Bear #132. You were very worthy bears.
Fat Bear Week, Round 2 results: Bucky Dent, Backpack, 132, and 910 triumph
The next round of voting starts Monday.
How to help Katmai’s brown bears this Fat Bear Week
Donations to the Otis Fund will be matched up to $350,000 through October 3.
Fat Bear Week Round 1, Part 1 results: Resilient moms and strong sisters triumph
Bear 132 found her lost cub while Bear 909 lost both her cubs, one in an attack by another bear competing today.
Record-setting Fat Bear Week turnout overloads voting site
Explore.org has extended Day 1 voting to tomorrow.
Walker and his big booty fight for Fat Bear Week glory
Bear #151 was a playful, chill bear. This year, things changed at the Brooks River.
Mama Bear #132 has one of Fat Bear Week’s most compelling stories
Mother, protector, survivor, and a big-bellied girl.
The Fat Bear Week 2026 bracket is here and chunkier than ever
Voting starts September 22 with a final winner crowned on September 29.
Big boy Chunk returns ahead of Fat Bear Week 2026
Last year’s champion is back, busted jaw and all.