Fat Bear Week is an annual event held in October by Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, commemorating the seasonal preparations made by Alaska peninsula brown bears inhabiting Katmai as they ready themselves for their winter hibernation. The competition is organized by the National Park Service and Explore.org. Spectators from around the world are invited to cast online votes to determine the bear that has most effectively accumulated fat reserves. In 2023, Associated Press called the competition "Alaska's most-watched popularity contest".
The event highlights the hyperphagia of bears preparing for hibernation. During the summer and autumn months, bears often exceed 1,000 pounds, when they feed on salmon in anticipation of their extended hibernation period. Bears can lose up to a third of their body weight during hibernation, as they cannot eat or drink until they emerge in the spring. The goal of Fat Bear Week is to promote bear conservation, cultivate an interest in wildlife, and encourage positive human-nature interactions.
Background
Katmai National Park and Reserve is dedicated to conservation and recreation...
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