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last wk.

Fat Bear Week Voting Opens With 12 Bears After Bumper Salmon Run at Katmai

An extraordinary salmon run has produced some of the fattest contenders yet, turning the vote into a showcase of ecosystem health and bear survival.

fat bear week
fat bear week
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Overview

  • Public voting runs Sept. 23–30 in a single-elimination bracket at FatBearWeek.org, with daily matchups typically open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET and one vote per email per matchup.
  • Two-time champion 128 Grazer seeks a three-peat as her cub 128 Junior advances from Fat Bear Junior to join 11 adult contenders in the main field.
  • Park staff report 2025’s salmon run as exceptional, leaving bears well-fed, reducing conflict at Brooks River, and yielding some of the plumpest contestants on record.
  • Fan-favorite storylines include 32 Chunk competing after a broken jaw and 602 “Floatato,” known for frequent river naps and a peculiar stomping dance.
  • The event is produced by Katmai National Park with Explore.org and the Katmai Conservancy; viewers can watch live bearcams, and last year saw over 1.2 million votes, with Explore.org matching Otis Fund donations up to $350,000 through Oct. 4.