Alaska’s beloved Fat Bear Week is entering its final round, and two heavyweight brown bears have emerged as the frontrunners. Bear 910 and Backpack – officially known as Bear 89 – will face off on Tuesday, when online voters determine which animal will claim the title of the park’s heaviest bear.
How the contest works
Since its launch in 2014, Fat Bear Week has offered an interactive way for the public to learn about the brown bears that inhabit Katmai National Park and Preserve on the Alaska Peninsula. The event features a single‑elimination, bracket‑style tournament that began this year with 16 contestants. Voters cast their choices online at fatbearweek.org, and the final poll closes on Tuesday evening.
Meet the finalists
Bear 910, a massive adult male, has impressed judges and viewers alike with his size and vigor. Backpack, also an adult male, earned his nickname after a memorable encounter with park staff who found him rummaging through a backpack left near the riverbank. Both bears have been regularly spotted along the Brooks River, where they feast on the abundant salmon that return each summer.
Last year’s champion, Chunk (Bear 32), weighed an estimated 1,200 pounds before being eliminated in the first round of this year’s competition by Bucky, who later fell to Backpack. The presence of five bear families in the bracket highlights the record‑high number of mothers and cubs observed at the river this season.
Why the competition matters
Brown bears in Katmai typically weigh 600 to 900 pounds in midsummer. By the time they are ready to hibernate, successful males can exceed 1,000 pounds, thanks to the rich salmon runs that provide the calories needed for the long winter. The contest underscores the health of the ecosystem and the importance of protecting the salmon runs that sustain both wildlife and local fishing economies.
During hibernation, bears do not eat or drink and lose roughly one‑third of their body weight, making the summer fat‑building season critical for survival. The event also educates the public about the challenges mother bears face: they must protect their cubs while consuming enough food to endure the months of fasting.
Family bear spotlight
Bear 132, a seasoned mother bear, advanced to the semifinals with her three spring cubs before being bested by Bear 910. In mid‑July, one of her cubs briefly wandered away from the family, prompting a brief search before the youngster was safely reunited with its mother.
How to watch and vote
Fans can follow the live streams on explore.org to see the bears in their natural habitat before casting their votes. The final results will be announced Tuesday night, adding another chapter to a tradition that celebrates the resilience and vitality of Alaska’s iconic brown bears.
What’s next for Fat Bear Week
Organizers hope the event continues to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and the importance of preserving Alaska’s pristine rivers. With growing interest each year, Fat Bear Week has become a beloved fixture for both locals and wildlife enthusiasts across the nation.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
