Fat Bear Week has kicked off in Alaska, following a tragic event involving one of the competitors. The popular contest, which has been held for a decade, invites viewers to choose their favorite brown bear as they bulk up on salmon in preparation for winter. This year’s festivities were postponed by a day after bear 402 was killed by bear 469 in an incident captured on livestream cameras, which had been set up in advance of the event.
Participants in the contest are selected from a dozen bears residing at Katmai National Park, where they compete for the title of Fat Bear. The grim event surrounding bear 402 has cast a shadow over the competition, highlighting the harsh realities of nature. “National parks like Katmai protect not only the wonders of nature but also the harsh realities,” stated Katmai National Park and Preserve. “Each bear seen on the webcams is competing with others to survive.”
At this time of year, brown bears in the park feast on numerous salmon each day along the Brooks River to gain weight before winter. Fans can vote online to help determine the winner among the chosen contestants. This year, the defending champion is Grazer, who is nurturing her first cub, while last year’s runner-up, Chunk, attempts to claim the title.