Fat Bear Week returns for voting marathon on Alaskan champions
Katmai National Park's annual Fat Bear Week runs 22-29 September, letting fans worldwide vote for the heaviest brown bear.
Every autumn, Katmai National Park in Alaska runs a week-long online contest where people vote on which brown bear has packed on the most weight before hibernation. Fans compare photos from early summer to late summer and choose the chunkiest competitor.
Last year's event drew 1.7 million votes from over 100 countries, with each voter weighing photos side by side to crown a furry chonker champion. The park started the tradition 13 years ago.
- 1.7 million
- Votes last year
- over 100
- Countries represented
- 13
- Years running
- Katmai National Park, Alaska
- Location
Why it mattersIt makes wildlife conservation fun and accessible: a global audience cares about these bears' health and survival.
AustraliaNo direct Australian impact, but the contest shows how Australians join worldwide audiences in following wild animals through digital platforms and events.
✓ Claims checked; 2 flagged for review. checked 16 h ago
