Fat Bear Week has returned
The public will for the 12th year in a row vote for the fattest of brown bears in Alaska’s Katmai national park
TL;DR
- The 12th annual Fat Bear Week is underway at Katmai National Park, Alaska.
- The public votes in a single-elimination tournament to determine the fattest brown bear.
- This year, there are more cubs at Brooks Camp than have been seen in a long time, linked to a successful salmon run.
- Fat Bear Week celebrates the bears' efforts to build fat reserves for winter hibernation and serves to promote conservation.
- The event leverages livestream cameras to allow viewers to follow individual bears' stories throughout the season.
- Katmai National Park is remote, making this event a way to bring the park's natural wonders to a wider audience.