The Unforgettable Champion: Revealing the Grand Victor of Katmai's Spectacular Fat Bear Week 2023!

The public has concluded voting in the annual Fat Bear Week contest at Katmai National Park & Preserves. This online brackets-style tournament features 12 large and bulky bears for the public to choose from.

The victorious bear for 2023 is a resilient mother bear who has effectively nurtured two sets of cubs. The National Park Service reveals that she frequently confronts and even attacks considerably larger bears, including dominant adult males, as a preemptive measure.

128 Grazer emerged as the clear victor, leaving 32 Chunk trailing behind in their shared fishing grounds teeming with salmon. According to Explore.org, Grazer garnered an impressive 108,321 votes compared to Chunk's modest 23,134 votes, solidifying her dominance in the online contest organized by the NPS.

Initially spotted as a young cub in 2005, Grazer rapidly established herself as an exceptional angler in Katmai's Brooks River. The Park Service praises her remarkable skills, noting her ability to successfully fish in various locales.

In the year, Grazer was flying alone without any cubs to safeguard. Nevertheless, the rest of the bears had not forgotten her intense dedication to her offspring. As a result, they granted her considerable freedom, offering her the best locations and chances to gorge on salmon.

Evidently, the public recognized her efforts and bestowed upon her a remarkable victory.

The runner-up

32 Chunk shows off his fat form on September 17, 2023.

F. Jimenez/NPA Photo

In the final round of the Grazers competition, Chunk, a promising contender with a mysterious past involving interactions with other bears, took the stage.

Initially spotted in 2007, Chunk was described as a solitary bear with a strong build, aged around 2.5 years. He would occasionally engage in play with fellow bears or display patience while waiting for the chance to scavenge salmon remains. However, when it came to competing for prime feeding areas, Chunk often showed reluctance to challenge his counterparts.

Surviving a bear attack - or, even better, preventing one

Chunk significantly increased its assertiveness in 2023, according to the NPS, and the results were remarkable. Even Bear 747, the reigning champion of Fat Bear Week 2022, willingly shared fishing spots and salmon with Chunk. This contributed to Chunk acquiring a prominent belly and securing a spot in the final round.

Bear 747 was eliminated in the initial round of play this year, once again proving that bears cannot rely on past feasting accomplishments. As winter hibernation approaches, it is evident that it is a fiercely competitive world for bears.