Fat Bear Week, first held in 2014, highlighted the resiliency of brown bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The 2025 competition began on September 24 and concluded on September 30 with online voting. Katmai, located about 300 miles southwest of Anchorage, had more than 2,200 brown bears living within 6,562 square miles. This year’s event featured 12 bears, including “128 Junior,” the cub of “Grazer,” a two-time champion who sought a third win. The contest used a single-elimination format. Eight bears met in the first round, and winners advanced to face four others that received byes. The purpose was to raise awareness of how the bears prepared for winter by consuming large amounts of salmon in the Brooks River.

The event focused on both size and survival challenges. Male bears usually weighed 700 to 900 pounds in midsummer and could grow over 1,000 pounds by autumn, with some reaching 1,400 pounds. Females, about half to two-thirds the size of males, faced extra difficulties because they had to nurse and defend cubs while also gaining fat. Observers stated that voting sometimes reflected behavior, such as protective care, in addition to weight. Grazer, for example, defeated a heavier rival, “Chunk,” in earlier contests. Experts said that this year’s exceptional salmon run produced record-heavy bears, including one contestant described as “cruise ship” sized.