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 Day 1: It’s a battle of the moms and single females
Bear 132 found her lost cub while Bear 909 lost both her cubs, one in an attack by another bear competing today.
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.
The cubs from Katmai’s ‘Brady Bunch’ blended family are all grown up
Bear #609 (Bean) and Bear #620 were raised together when one mother bear adopted her sister’s cub.
New Fat Bear Week children’s book turns Katmai’s famous bears into wrestlers
A Q&A with Alaskan author Brooke Hartman on salmon, writing challenges, and why people love these bears.
Meet Bucky Dent, one of Katmai’s most innovative bears
Cameras spotted Bear 164 going after a speedy salmon.
Don’t worry, Katmai’s brown bears didn’t vanish from Brooks Falls
In August, the brown bears spread out to find salmon.
Katmai bear cub spotted with a paw full of porcupine quills
Hopefully little 901jr learned an important lesson.