Celebrating the Reign of the New Fat Bear King

Chunk, officially Bear #32, has claimed victory in the 2025 Fat Bear Week competition.

An annual tradition akin to March Madness, Fat Bear Week is hosted by Katmai National Park. It's a joyous event done in collaboration with the nonprofit Katmai Conservancy and the virtual platform Explore.org. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts from all over cast their votes for the most robust brown bear.

Chunk's Triumph

This year, Chunk, weighing a hefty 1,200 pounds, captivated the audience with his extraordinary courage. Despite arriving to fish at Brooks River with a mending jaw injury, which might be a permanent challenge, he persevered.

His tenacity and resilience not only endeared him to the onlookers but also secured his place as the most admired bear of the season.

Bear Basics and Dietary Needs

As the autumn season beckons, these brown bears must bulk up, sometimes gaining as much as four pounds daily. This weight gain is crucial for their survival during hibernation when they may lose up to a third of their body fat reserves.

An Abundant Season

This time around, the bears flourished due to a spectacular salmon run. Katmai National Park is home to one of the largest brown bear populations globally, with numbers reaching 2,200. Furthermore, it boasts one of the most thriving wild sockeye salmon ecosystems left on our increasingly warm planet—remarkably maintaining its abundance amidst record-breaking temperatures in recent years.

Despite the wrap-up of Fat Bear Week, which almost faced disruption from a looming government shutdown, nature enthusiasts can continue to enjoy watching these magnificent creatures on Explore.org's live Brown Bear Cam.