Fat Bear Week Voting 2025: Meet the Bears Battling for the Crown at Katmai National Park
Fat Bear Week 2025 has officially begun, and fans worldwide are casting their ballots in the annual fattened-up showdown. This year’s fat bear week voting promises fierce competition, with a lineup of iconic bears and fresh faces competing for the crown at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
How Fat Bear Week Voting Works
The competition runs from September 23 to 30 and uses a single-elimination bracket. Each day, two bears are paired against each other, and the public chooses the winner through online fat bear week voting.
Key details include:
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Voting takes place on FatBearWeek.org.
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Daily rounds run from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET (9:00 am to 6:00 pm PT).
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Each email address can vote once per match per day.
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Bear cams at Brooks River allow fans to watch contestants live before casting a vote.
The event emphasizes not only fun and engagement but also awareness of bear survival strategies, salmon runs, and conservation efforts.
Fat Bear Week Bracket: The 2025 Contenders
A total of 12 brown bears are competing in this year’s fat bear week voting. The bracket features seasoned champions, playful newcomers, and even the winner of the Fat Bear Junior category.
| Bear Number | Nickname/Details | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 128 Grazer | Reigning Champion | Two-time winner, aiming for a third crown |
| 128 Jr. | Fat Bear Junior Winner | Daughter of Grazer, first time in the main bracket |
| 602 Flotato | Known for “stomping dance” | Rising star with unique fishing behavior |
| 32 Chunk | Last year’s runner-up | Competing despite recovery from broken jaw |
| 856 | Experienced contender | Advanced in opening round |
| 909 | Advanced in early voting | Popular among new voters |
| 503, 901, 26, 99, 910 | Other participants | Each with distinct traits and stories |
The fat bear week bracket will narrow down daily until the final bear is crowned on September 30.
Katmai National Park Bears: Salmon, Strategy, and Survival
The spectacle highlights the lives of Katmai National Park bears, who depend on sockeye salmon at Brooks River to gain enough fat for hibernation. Through hyperphagia, these bears eat excessively to pack on hundreds of pounds.
When voters decide between contestants, they consider:
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Physical size and visible weight gain
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Personality traits, such as calm patience or playful antics
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Resilience, like Chunk’s recovery from injury
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Parenting roles, especially among female bears raising cubs
This year’s abundant salmon run has made many of the bears bulkier than ever, setting the stage for record-breaking champions.
128 Grazer vs. The Competition
Few names stir as much excitement as 128 Grazer, the current queen of the competition. With two crowns already under her belt, Grazer’s return sparks questions: can she secure a historic third title, or will challengers like 32 Chunk or 602 Flotato steal the spotlight?
Her daughter, 128 Jr., adds another layer of intrigue as she graduates from Fat Bear Junior to the main stage, potentially facing her mother in later rounds.
Brooks River Bear Cams Keep Fans Engaged
The live Brooks River bear cams are an essential part of the event, letting fans watch the bears in real time as they fish, fight, and feast. Viewers worldwide tune in to study the bears before casting their votes.
Past editions of the event have shown how the cameras sometimes capture unexpected moments—from wildlife clashes to human rescues—adding to the drama and appeal.
A Look Back at Past Champions
No discussion of Fat Bear Week is complete without mentioning Bear 480 Otis, the four-time champion and fan favorite. While his presence has diminished in recent years, his legacy continues to inspire voters and conservationists.
Another familiar figure is 32 Chunk, who nearly won last year and continues to demonstrate resilience despite his injuries.
What’s Next in Fat Bear Week Voting
With fat bear week voting ongoing, fans eagerly await the closing rounds. The final days are expected to draw the biggest crowds, with social media buzzing about predictions and rivalries.
The winner of Fat Bear Week 2025 will not only secure bragging rights but also symbolize the strength, adaptability, and survival instincts of Alaska’s wild bears.
