Break out the salmon and belly rubs! Itâs that magical time of year again:Â Fat Bear Week 2025! đ
Every fall, the bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska strut their salmon-stuffed bellies as they compete for the crown of fattest bear on the river. Forget fashion week! This is fish-ion week, where curves mean survival and fluff means fame. From chubby cubs to heavyweight legends, these bears arenât just cute. Theyâre chunky champions preparing for the long Alaskan winter. The largest brown bears on planet Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. And, you get to decide the winner with your vote! đđ
đïž When to Vote
- Main Fat Bear Week: Bracket revealed September 22, voting runs September 23â30.
- Daily voting hours: 12 PM to 9 PM ET.
đ Cast your vote here: explore.org/fat-bear-week
đ» Meet the Contenders
Hereâs your quick cheat sheet to the bears in this yearâs showdownâso youâll know whoâs who when you click that vote button:
đ The Reigning Royalty
- 128 Grazer: Two-time defending champion (2023 & 2024). Fierce mama bear balancing cub-care and salmon feasts. Famous for her fishing skills and donât-mess-with-me energy.
- 128 Junior: Grazerâs cub and this yearâs Fat Bear Junior champ. First time in the âbig bearâ bracket. Fans love her âlike mother, like daughterâ vibes.
đȘ The Fan Favorites
- 32 Chunk: Legendary bruiser with a broken jaw battle scar. Huge, goofy, and oddly lovable despite his âbad boyâ past.
- 747 âBear Force Oneâ: Two-time champ (2020 & 2022). Known for his sheer size … he once topped 1,400 pounds!
đ¶ The Style Icons
- 602 Flotato: Famous for his stomping âdance movesâ and chill fishing spots. A bear with both rhythm and heft.
- 910 & 909 (The Sisters):
- 910: graceful fisher at Brooks Falls.
- 909: tough survivor after losing cubs. Fans are rooting for her comeback.
đ The New Blood
- 26 (daughter of Holly, 2019 champ): Avoids the crowded falls, carves her own path.
- 99: A young up-and-comer with star potentialâif the salmon supply holds.
- 609: Past Fat Bear Junior winner, now flexing grown-up bear bulk.
đŠ The Legends
- 856 âThe Beastâ: Battle-hardened veteran with scars to prove it. Slower than in his prime, but still a tank.
- 480 Otis: The GOATâ4-time champ (2014, 2016, 2017, 2021). Beloved for his patience, wisdom, and epic belly gains.
đ Why It Matters
Fat Bear Week isnât just about cuteness overload (though thereâs plenty of that). It highlights how critical salmon runs are for the ecosystem. Without enough fish, the bears canât bulk up for winter, and the ripple effect impacts the whole region. Each vote celebrates the resilience, strategy, and survival instincts of these Alaskan icons.
Whether youâre Team Grazer, Team Chunk, or rooting for an underbear like 99, mark your calendars and get ready to cast your vote. đ Vote daily from September 23â30, 2025 at explore.org/fat-bear-week and help crown this yearâs fattest, fluffiest, most fabulous bear! đ»âš
Hot chocolate anyone? đ§ž
