In a dramatic turn of events more suited to a soap opera than a popularity contest, Grazer emerged victorious in the Fat Bear Contest for the second time, triumphing over Chunk, the massive male bear that tragically killed her cub earlier this year. Fans watching live cameras at explore.org in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve cast over 40,000 votes in favor of Grazer, sealing her landslide victory.
The Fat Bear Contest is an annual event where fans vote online for their favorite chunky competitor from a pool of 12 bears. The bears showcased in the contest have amassed significant fat reserves over the summer by feasting on sockeye salmon returning to Brooks River. These bears can often be seen perched at the top of a waterfall, snatching leaping salmon out of the air as they try to make their way upstream to spawn.
Tragically, Grazer’s cub met its demise after slipping over the waterfall and being killed by Chunk, the dominant brown bear on the river. Grazer valiantly fought Chunk in an attempt to save her cub, but her efforts were in vain. The heartbreaking incident was captured live on camera, adding a somber note to the contest.
Just last week, another bear named 402, a female contestant in this year’s contest, was killed by a male brown bear, causing a delay in the release of the tournament bracket. Despite these tragic events, the Fat Bear Contest remains a popular celebration of the resilience of the 2,200 brown bears that inhabit the Alaska Peninsula.
Grazer, with her striking blond ears and straight muzzle, is described as a formidable presence on Brooks River. Her fearlessness and strength command respect from other bears, often avoiding confrontation with her. Her surviving cub from her third litter placed second in the Fat Bear Junior contest held two weeks prior.
On the other hand, Chunk is recognized as one of the largest bears on the river, boasting narrow-set eyes, dark brown fur, and a distinctive scar on his muzzle. His bio highlights his physical prowess, with Chunk securing prime fishing spots and feasting on an impressive 42 salmon in just 10 hours. His bulky form is a testament to his success in the competition.
Adult male brown bears typically weigh between 600 to 900 pounds in mid-summer, but can surpass 1,000 pounds by the time they are ready to hibernate after gorging on migrating salmon. Female bears are generally smaller, weighing about one-third less than their male counterparts.
Despite the challenges and tragedies faced by the bears in the contest, the Fat Bear Contest serves as a way to honor and celebrate the remarkable brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve. The live cameras and viewing stands in the park have turned it into a popular tourist destination, allowing visitors to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.