Happy Fat Bear Week everyone!

This yearly event takes place in Katmai National Park and Bristol Bay, Alaska. This region is home to more brown bears than people, as well as one of the largest runs of sockeye salmon on the planet. The richness of this habitat allows Katmai’s brown bears to reach their peak plumpness as they gorge on salmon.

Bears feast all summer long in preparation for their winter-long hibernation, in which they can lose up to one-third of their body weight. Their survival depends on accumulating ample fat reserves before entering the den. You can watch the bears devour salmon here.

Now is your chance to cast your vote for the fattest bear of the year!

In each match-up, you’ll vote for the bear that best exemplifies portliness and success in brown bears. Check out this year’s contestants here. The bear with the most votes advances to the next round, and only one will be crowned the 2024 Fat Bear Week champion. Matchups are open for voting today, October 2nd to next Tuesday, October 8th between 12 – 9  p.m.