The annual Fat Bear Week, organized by Explore.org and Katmai National Park in Alaska, has concluded with the crowning of its 2025 champion. After a record‑breaking week of voting, bear number 32, known as Chunk, emerged as the winner, having gained significant weight in preparation for winter hibernation.
Fat Bear Week began in 2014 and allows voters to track the weight gain of Alaska brown bears as they feast on salmon before hibernation. The event uses a bracket‑style competition in which participants choose their favorite bear based on its transformation from the start to the end of the season. This year’s contest ran from September 23‑30 and attracted 1.7 million votes, surpassing the previous record of 1.3 million set in 2023.
Eight bears competed, including 128 Grazer, a female who had won the event for two consecutive years. Grazer was eliminated in the semi‑final round by bear 856. Chunk, who had suffered a broken jaw earlier in the season, made a remarkable recovery and claimed the top spot, earning his first Fat Bear Week title. His victory places him among past winners such as 480 Otis, a four‑time champion.
The success of this year’s event highlights growing interest in Fat Bear Week, with voters from around the world participating. The competition not only raises awareness of the brown bears at Katmai National Park but also educates the public about the importance of hibernation and the challenges these animals face in the wild. As the bears prepare for hibernation, typically occurring between October and December, fans will watch to see how they fare in the coming year. For Chunk, his inaugural title is a notable achievement as he heads into hibernation, and his supporters will be eager to see him defend it in future competitions.
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