Grazer, a 19-year-old brown bear residing in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, has once again been crowned the fattest bear, claiming victory in the annual Fat Bear Week competition. This marks her second consecutive win, solidifying her reign as the chunkiest champion. This year’s victory follows a particularly challenging period for Grazer, adding a poignant layer to her triumph.
This captivating competition, initiated in 2014, has garnered significant attention, evolving into a beloved tradition celebrating these magnificent omnivores. The process of determining the fattest bear relies on public voting, as attempting to weigh these formidable creatures directly would be incredibly dangerous. Instead, viewers observe the bears’ fishing prowess via livestreams of the Brooks River, a critical aspect of their pre-hibernation weight gain. This period of intense feeding, from the summer months until they enter their dens between November and April, is crucial for their survival. The accumulated fat reserves sustain them through the long winter when they neither eat nor drink.
Grazer’s journey to victory was marked by a fierce rivalry with Chunk, the dominant bear of Brooks River. Their competition took a tragic turn when Chunk killed one of Grazer’s cubs. This incident occurred in July when Grazer’s two cubs were swept over a waterfall in the Brooks River, directly into Chunk’s territory. Despite Grazer’s attempts to intervene, Chunk attacked and killed one of the cubs. The surviving cub went on to secure second place in the Fat Bear Junior competition in late September, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. The final vote tally saw Grazer triumphing over Chunk with a decisive 71,248 to 30,468 votes.
“Fat Bear Week transcends political polarization. It is an election in which every candidate is fit for office,” said Charline Annenberg, founder of Explore.org. Explore.org, a philanthropic organization, plays a crucial role in the event by providing live-streaming webcams, allowing the public to witness the bears’ fishing activities. “The bears have demonstrated their credibility through hard work, skill, and the growth of their waistline. Each aims to achieve the same goal—surviving winter hibernation. They all are worthy of our respect and admiration.”
While Fat Bear Week serves as an engaging educational platform about these fascinating creatures, it fortunately doesn’t represent a desperate plea for the species’ survival. Brown bears are not currently classified as endangered. In fact, according to the World Wildlife Fund, some brown bear populations are thriving. However, a significant group of Alaskan brown bears inhabiting Bristol Bay, located near Katmai National Park, faces a potential threat from a proposed gold and copper mine, a project currently embroiled in controversy.
In conclusion, Grazer’s second consecutive win as the fattest bear is a testament to her resilience and resourcefulness. Her victory resonates deeply, especially considering the hardships she faced earlier this year. We celebrate her impressive weight gain, a vital factor for her survival during the upcoming hibernation. We wish her continued success and look forward to her participation in next year’s competition.
