Get Ready for Fat Bear Week: Excitement is in the Air!

This morning, I woke up to a refreshing change. The oppressive humidity had eased, and the sweltering 90-degree highs and 80-degree lows we’ve been enduring in Kansas City finally gave way to a cool drizzle. I switched off the air conditioner, flung open the windows, and took a deep breath of the crisp, damp air.

It’s happening, gamers! The season is shifting, and you know what that means, right?

That’s right! It’s time for Alaskan grizzly bears to bulk up for winter.

It’s Fat Bear Week again, everyone!

You’ve heard of Fat Bear Week, right? It’s a cherished tradition! A celebration of nature and delightful excess! Hosted annually by the Katmai Conservancy in Anchorage, Alaska, Fat Bear Week is a single-elimination tournament where we, the public, get to vote for the most impressive, rotund bear at Katmai National Park.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about weight. We can’t weigh these wild bears anyway. What we’re really looking for is which bear best exemplifies the ideal of bear fatness: preparing for a long winter hibernation during which they won’t munch on berries or fish. Leading up to this, bears need to eat and eat to become large, robust, and magnificent specimens. The Katmai Conservancy shares photos of the bears “before” (early summer) and “after” (late summer) so we can see which bear has excelled in getting ready for the long sleep ahead. Any bear can take the crown! Male bears, female bears, seasoned grizzlies, and little cubs gearing up for their first winter—all efforts are celebrated.

Voting kicks off tomorrow on the official website, but in the meantime, there are plenty of bear-themed activities to dive into. The Katmai Conservancy posts a ton of engaging videos that let you learn about bears and their behaviors, including live chats and bear cams showing what the bears are up to right now. I also recommend checking out the press kit—something I don’t usually suggest—because it includes a printable bracket, trading cards of all the bears, and even an adorable “I Voted” sticker.

But I know why you’re here. You want to see the fat bears! I’ll leave the complete list of contenders to the official site, as there are quite a few. However, I’m excited to share some of my favorites that I’ll be enthusiastically voting for this week.

First up is a mother bear known as 132, along with her three cubs, competing in the family division. Just look at how round those cubs have gotten over the summer! I’m particularly impressed because it must be quite a challenge to achieve such size with three mouths to feed—132 has the most cubs in the family division.

WOW. Check out this lady! She’s amazing! I might be a bit biased since this bear is nicknamed Marshmallow, but I can’t help but be drawn to her. She’s maturing beautifully, having spent her young adult years playing with other bears and honing her fishing skills. Now she’s at an age where she might have cubs of her own. According to the site, this is the fattest she’s ever been. Great job, Marshmallow! I’m cheering for you!

Holy moly! This guy has had a serious glow-up! Bucky has transformed dramatically in just a few months! He’s known to be a bit aggressive for a bear, but he’s also quite clever—he’s figured out how to catch salmon at a pool near Brooks Falls where other bears struggle. It seems to be paying off for him. At just nine years old, Bucky could grow even larger in the coming years if he keeps up the hard work. Go Bucky!

Be sure to check out the other contenders for the title of fattest bear, consider casting your vote, and maybe learn a thing or two about these magnificent creatures while you’re at it. Fall is in the air, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by appreciating the incredible size of a bear!