Katmai National Park Hosts 12th Fat Bear Week

The 12th annual Fat Bear Week opens Monday at Katmai National Park, inviting the public to vote for the fattest brown bear in the region. The event, which has become a staple of the park’s salmon‑run season, focuses on the bears that gather along Brooks River as they feed on the abundant salmon. Visitors and online participants will cast ballots for the heaviest male, female, and cubs, with the results announced at the end of the week.

Each year the bears arrive in late summer, their weight increasing dramatically as they gorge on salmon. Park officials note that the timing of the salmon run is critical for the bears’ fat accumulation, which is essential for hibernation and reproduction. The public voting component has grown in popularity, drawing attention to the park’s conservation efforts and the health of its iconic wildlife.

Fat Bear Week concludes with a celebration of the bears’ seasonal success, highlighting the importance of the salmon run to the ecosystem. The event also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to protect both the bears and their habitat in Alaska’s rugged wilderness.