Chunk Eyes Repeat Victory in Fat Bear Week
Chunk, the reigning 1,200‑pound brown bear, is back for a rematch in Fat Bear Week, an online voting tournament featuring 16 of Katmai’s heaviest bears. The event highlights the bears’ salmon‑driven weight gain and the public’s role in crowning the fattest competitor.
By Felo News Desk · Published
In the heart of Alaska’s Katmai National Park, a unique spectacle unfolds each year: Fat Bear Week. This year, the spotlight falls on Chunk, officially Bear 32, who tipped the scales at an impressive 1,200 pounds in 2025 to win last season’s title. With the online voting window open, bear enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike are poised to decide whether Chunk can repeat his victory against a roster of hefty rivals.
What’s Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is a twelve‑year‑old tradition that turns the park’s 2,200 brown bears into a living, breathing weight‑lifting competition. Each July, the bears feast on the abundant sockeye salmon that stream up the Brooks River, building up fat reserves in preparation for the winter months when they hibernate and shed roughly one‑third of their body weight. The event is organized by the nonprofit Explore Alaska, which streams the bears’ daily activities on its website and invites the public to vote for their favorite through www.fatbearweek.org. The winner is announced on September 29, after a single‑elimination bracket narrows the field from sixteen contenders to one champion.
Chunk’s Journey to the Top
Chunk’s 2025 season was a testament to the power of salmon. He began the summer lean, weighing in at the lower end of the typical male brown bear range—600 to 900 pounds. By late August, after devouring up to 30 fish a day, his weight had surged past the 1,000‑pound mark, culminating in a 1,200‑pound finish that secured his first Fat Bear Week title. The public’s support was decisive; viewers could compare before‑and‑after photos and vote based on both appearance and the bear’s backstory.
Last year’s contest was dramatic. In a 2024 livestream, mother bear 128 Grazer’s cub fell over Brooks Falls and landed in Chunk’s fishing area. Chunk attacked the cub, injuring it, and a fierce altercation erupted between Chunk and Grazer. The cub ultimately died, and many viewers awarded Grazer the win in a gesture of sympathy. Chunk returned the following year and reclaimed the crown, setting the stage for a potential rematch.
Meet the Contenders
Besides Chunk, the tournament features a lineup of 15 other massive brown bears, each with its own story. One of the most formidable challengers is Gully, officially Bear 903, the offspring of two‑time champion Grazer. Gully’s lineage alone makes him a fan favorite, and his size—estimated to be in the 1,100‑to‑1,200‑pound range—positions him as a serious threat to Chunk’s reign.
Other notable participants include:
- Bear 512, a lanky but lean male who has consistently outperformed expectations by gaining weight rapidly during the salmon run.
- Bear 847, a female who, while typically one‑third lighter than her male counterparts, has shown remarkable resilience and has been a crowd favorite for her playful antics.
- Bear 321, a newcomer whose sudden weight spike in early August surprised many observers.
All 16 bears must frequent the Brooks River area to qualify, ensuring that the competition reflects the true salmon‑driven weight dynamics of the park’s resident brown bear population.
How the Voting Works
Voting is entirely online, with participants able to view live feeds from the park’s cameras and review a series of before‑and‑after images that showcase each bear’s transformation. While no official weigh‑ins occur during the tournament—imagine the logistics of weighing a 1,200‑pound animal in the wild—fans rely on visual cues and anecdotal evidence to make their selections.
The bracket follows a single‑elimination format. Each round eliminates half the competitors until a final showdown determines the fattest bear of the season. The public’s vote is the decisive factor, making Fat Bear Week a truly interactive experience that blends wildlife observation with community engagement.
What’s Next?
The voting period remains open until the final match on September 29. As the tournament progresses, fans will watch the bears’ weight changes, their interactions, and the drama that unfolds when two massive competitors collide. Whether Chunk can defend his title or Gully will claim the crown remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Fat Bear Week will continue to captivate audiences and bring attention to the remarkable lives of Katmai’s brown bears.
Key facts
- Chunk aims to defend his 1,200‑pound title
- Fat Bear Week is a public voting tournament featuring 16 bears
- Voting is based on before‑and‑after photos and live streams
- Gully, Bear 903, is a top contender
- The event raises awareness about Alaska’s wildlife and conservation
Why it matters
Fat Bear Week spotlights the ecological significance of salmon to Alaska’s brown bears while engaging the public in conservation education through an interactive, community‑driven format.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fat Bear Week?
A yearly, online voting competition that crowns the heaviest brown bear in Katmai National Park.
How are the bears weighed?
No official weigh‑ins occur; weight changes are inferred from visual evidence and before‑and‑after photos.
Where can I watch the bears?
Live streams are available on the Explore Alaska website.
How can I vote?
Visit https://www.fatbearweek.org and cast your vote for your favorite bear.
When does the event take place?
Voting starts in early July and the winner is announced on September 29.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Fat Bear Week opens for Alaska’s heavyweight crown. Can Chunk, the 1,200-pound champ, win again?”
