Vote for the Fattest Bear of the Year!
- peri861
- Sep 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Only one bear can be crowned Fat Bear Week champion
19 September 2025: From the rugged beauty of Alaska’s wilderness comes an extraordinary annual showdown - Fat Bear Week. Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska.
This year, voting runs September 24 - October 1 (AEDT / NZDT). Even if you’re thousands of kilometres away in Australia or New Zealand, you can be part of one of Alaska’s wildest and most entertaining traditions.
What Is Fat Bear Week?
Every autumn, Katmai’s brown bears bulk up in preparation for winter hibernation, feasting on salmon and building the fat reserves that will sustain them until spring. The heavier they are, the better their chances of survival.
Fat Bear Week celebrates this natural wonder by showcasing photos of these “chubby champs” in a light-hearted competition. Fans vote for their favourite bears, and the one with the most support is crowned the champion of the week.
How to Vote
Fat Bear Junior (for the younger bears) is wrapping up, and the big bears are ready to take the stage.
From September 24–27 (AEDT / NZDT), match-up voting takes place as bears face off in the first round.
On September 30–October 1 (AEDT / NZDT), your final votes will decide which heavyweight takes home the crown.
Cast your votes at: explore.org/fat-bear-week
Watch Live
Check out the live cams on Explore.org or visit the bears of Katmai to learn more about the lives of the bears.
Why It Matters?
Fat Bear Week is more than just a quirky contest. It highlights the resilience of Alaska’s wildlife and the pristine ecosystems they depend on. The salmon runs that sustain Katmai’s brown bears also support entire communities of animals, and the annual celebration draws attention to the importance of protecting these wild places.
For travellers, Anchorage is the gateway to Alaska’s incredible bear-viewing experiences, wilderness adventures, and cultural encounters. Whether it’s exploring the trails, watching salmon runs, or heading out on a bear-viewing tour, Anchorage is where the adventure begins.
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