Alaska’s ‘Fat Bear Week’ underway to crown pudgiest bear ahead of winter hibernation

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The bigger the bear, the better!

Katmai National Park has kicked off its annual Fat Bear Week from Oct. 5 to 11, 2022, in which some of Alaska’s biggest bears are ranked ahead of winter hibernation. 

The week celebrates the resilience, adaptability and strength of Katmai’s brown bear population as the animals prepare to hibernate, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

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The single elimination tournament has matched up 12 bears to compete for the title of fattest bear.

Voters can participate and make their bracket picks at fatbearweek.org, as well as learn more about each bear and its importance to the Alaskan ecosystem.

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A Fat Bear Week winner will be announced on "Fat Bear Tuesday," Oct. 11, 2022.

Some of the world’s largest brown bears settle down at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, according to explore.org.

Before and after images of 32 Chunk, a brown bear native to Alaska's Katmai National Park. (explore.org)

These bears include such Fat Bear Week contenders as 32 Chunk and 128 Grazer.

32 Chunk, a large, adult male bear with a dark fur coat, is consistently one of the most dominant bears in the area, NPS reported.

In previous years, 32 has weighed 1,200 pounds — and has an identifiable scar across his snout.

A seasonal before and after of 128 Grazer, a brown bear native to Alaska's Katmai National Park. (explore.org)

128 Grazer is a female in her late teens with "distinctive fluffy blonde ears," NPS noted on its website.

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As one of the more dominant females at the falls, 128 can be aggressive when in the presence of cubs or when she's in a prime fishing location.