Bulky Brown Bear Successfully Defends Her Fat Bear Week Title
Michelle Milliken
The bear that has done the best job at fattening up for the long Alaskan winter has been crowned, after a strong effort from her devoted fans.
The winner of the annual Fat Bear Week competition, put on by Katmai National Park & Preserve, is 128 Grazer. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because this queen of the fish snacks was also last year’s winner. In that contest, nearly 1.4 million votes were cast from over 100 countries. Grazer’s passing on those full-bodied genes, too. One of her cubs was runner-up in the Fat Bear Junior competition this year.
A social media post announcing Grazer’s win says, “For the second year running 128 'Grazer' is crowned Fat Bear Week Champion! This pudgy sow wins a successful winter in the den for all her hard work raising a cub and feasting on salmon all summer long.”
Fat Bear Week, which was held between October 2 and October 8 this year, aims to celebrate the brown bears at Katmai, while highlighting the ecosystem where they live. This ecosystem includes a famous salmon run, where the park’s chunky bears gorge on Alaska wild salmon until their bulk propels them into one of the coveted 12 spots in the Fat Bear Bracket.
Of the competition, park superintendent Mark Sturm says, “Fat Bear Week satisfies your hunger for bears, salmon, and the other wonders of Katmai, all with one bite.”
Grazer is certainly one of the wonders of Katmai. The park describes the nearly 20-year-old as formidable, fearless, and strong, having earned the respect of other bears who try to avoid confrontation with her. Grazer, who also stands apart due to her prominent blond ears, did have a confrontation with another bear who killed her other cub this year: Her competition in the final, 32 Chunk.
Chunk, this year’s runner-up, has a menacing scar on his muzzle, a prominent brow ridge, and a weight of about 1200 pounds. This bulk helps him secure prime fishing spots that once allowed him to eat 42 salmon in 10 hours.
The post announcing Grazer’s win made sure to thank the salmon for their hard work helping the bears fatten up. It’s just what they need ahead of hibernation, which typically begins at Katmai in October or November.
If you’d like to learn more about the park, and see some footage of their fat bears, visit nps.gov/katm or follow them on social media.
