News
October 03, 2025
Chunk, a 1,200-pound bear with a broken jaw, wins Alaska's popular Fat Bear Week contest
The annual online competition allows viewers to follow 12 bears in the Katmai National Park and Preserve on live webcams and cast ballots.
**Chunk, a 1,200-pound bear with a broken jaw, wins Alaska's popular Fat Bear Week contest**
In a victory that speaks volumes about resilience and the power of public appreciation, Chunk, a formidable 1,200-pound brown bear with a visible scar from a past jaw injury, has been crowned the champion of this year's Fat Bear Week. The annual online competition, a celebration of the remarkable transformation brown bears undergo as they prepare for hibernation, captivated viewers worldwide, showcasing the bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve in all their pre-winter glory.
Fat Bear Week, an event that has grown in popularity each year, allows the public to follow the lives of twelve bears through live webcams strategically placed throughout the park. These cameras offer a unique glimpse into the bears' daily routines as they tirelessly feast on salmon, packing on the pounds necessary to survive the long Alaskan winter. Viewers are then invited to cast their ballots online, choosing which bear they believe has best achieved peak plumpness.
This year, Chunk emerged as the clear favorite, capturing the hearts and votes of thousands. His impressive size, combined with the visible reminder of a past injury – a broken jaw that healed leaving a distinctive scar – made him a particularly compelling figure. Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Chunk demonstrated an exceptional ability to compete for resources and accumulate the necessary fat reserves.
The competition highlights the importance of the Brooks River ecosystem, the primary feeding ground for these bears. The abundant salmon runs provide the essential nourishment needed for the bears to thrive and prepare for hibernation, a period where they rely solely on their stored fat for survival.
Fat Bear Week is more than just a popularity contest; it serves as an educational opportunity, raising awareness about the health of the bear population and the critical role of their habitat. The event underscores the importance of conservation efforts in protecting these magnificent creatures and the pristine environment they call home. Chunk's victory is a testament to the bears' adaptability and the public's fascination with the natural world, solidifying Fat Bear Week as a unique and engaging way to connect with wildlife and promote environmental awareness.
In a victory that speaks volumes about resilience and the power of public appreciation, Chunk, a formidable 1,200-pound brown bear with a visible scar from a past jaw injury, has been crowned the champion of this year's Fat Bear Week. The annual online competition, a celebration of the remarkable transformation brown bears undergo as they prepare for hibernation, captivated viewers worldwide, showcasing the bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve in all their pre-winter glory.
Fat Bear Week, an event that has grown in popularity each year, allows the public to follow the lives of twelve bears through live webcams strategically placed throughout the park. These cameras offer a unique glimpse into the bears' daily routines as they tirelessly feast on salmon, packing on the pounds necessary to survive the long Alaskan winter. Viewers are then invited to cast their ballots online, choosing which bear they believe has best achieved peak plumpness.
This year, Chunk emerged as the clear favorite, capturing the hearts and votes of thousands. His impressive size, combined with the visible reminder of a past injury – a broken jaw that healed leaving a distinctive scar – made him a particularly compelling figure. Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Chunk demonstrated an exceptional ability to compete for resources and accumulate the necessary fat reserves.
The competition highlights the importance of the Brooks River ecosystem, the primary feeding ground for these bears. The abundant salmon runs provide the essential nourishment needed for the bears to thrive and prepare for hibernation, a period where they rely solely on their stored fat for survival.
Fat Bear Week is more than just a popularity contest; it serves as an educational opportunity, raising awareness about the health of the bear population and the critical role of their habitat. The event underscores the importance of conservation efforts in protecting these magnificent creatures and the pristine environment they call home. Chunk's victory is a testament to the bears' adaptability and the public's fascination with the natural world, solidifying Fat Bear Week as a unique and engaging way to connect with wildlife and promote environmental awareness.
Category:
Entertainment