Fat Bear Week 2026: Chunk Defends Title Against New Rival Gully

Key points

• Voting for the 12th annual Fat Bear Week opened on September 22, 2026, with the winner to be declared on September 29.
• Defending champion Chunk (Bear 32) is competing for a second title after weighing an estimated 1,200 pounds in 2025.
• Chunk faces stiff competition from Gully (Bear 903), the offspring of two-time champion Grazer.
• The contest features 16 bears in a single-elimination bracket, with voting based on before-and-after photos and live streams from Brooks Falls.
• The event raises awareness about brown bear biology, as males can weigh over 1,000 pounds after consuming up to 30 salmon daily to prepare for hibernation.

Background

Fat Bear Week began in 2014 as a public engagement tool to educate people about brown bears in Katmai National Park. The event has grown into a global phenomenon, with millions of voters participating annually. In 2024, a dramatic incident involving Chunk and a cub of Grazer influenced the voting outcome, leading to Grazer's victory that year. Chunk subsequently reclaimed the title in 2025. The 2026 edition continues the tradition of using the contest to support conservation efforts through the Otis Fund, which aids in bear research and habitat protection at Katmai National Park.

Why it matters

Fat Bear Week serves as a unique platform for wildlife conservation and public education. By gamifying the observation of brown bears' natural behaviors, the event generates significant public interest and financial support for the Otis Fund. The contest highlights the critical importance of salmon runs for bear survival and the broader ecosystem health of the Alaska Peninsula. Additionally, the event fosters a deeper connection between the public and wildlife, encouraging support for conservation efforts and the protection of brown bear habitats.

What to watch

Voting for Fat Bear Week will continue through September 29, 2026, with the winner announced on that date. The public can follow the bears' activities via live streams from Brooks Falls and review before-and-after photos to make their voting decisions. The event's outcome will likely influence public perception of the participating bears and may impact future conservation efforts and funding for the Otis Fund.