Fat Bear Week Voting 2025: How to Cast Your Vote, Meet the Bears, and Follow the Competition from Anywhere
The highly anticipated fat bear week voting has officially begun at Katmai National Park, with fans from across the globe joining in to crown the fattest brown bear of the year. The competition, running from September 23 to September 30, allows the public to vote daily for their favorite contenders in a playful yet educational online contest. Hosted by Katmai National Park, Explore.org, and Katmai Conservancy, the event highlights the survival strategies of Alaskan brown bears as they prepare for winter hibernation.
Voting takes place through a single-elimination bracket where two bears face off each day. Fans can cast one vote per email address for each matchup at FatBearWeek.org, with polls open between 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm Eastern Time.
How Fat Bear Week Voting Works
To keep the contest engaging and accessible, organizers designed a straightforward voting system:
Daily Voting Process Table
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the official site | Go to FatBearWeek.org or Explore.org |
| 2 | View matchups | Two bears are paired head-to-head daily |
| 3 | Select a winner | Click on the photo of your chosen bear |
| 4 | Submit your vote | Each email address gets one vote per day per matchup |
In addition to voting, fans can watch the Brooks River live webcams to observe the bears in their natural environment before making their decision. Many also complete prediction brackets, adding another layer of excitement to the contest.
Meet the Bears Competing in 2025
This year’s fat bear week voting features 12 brown bears, each with unique characteristics and stories that make them strong contenders:
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128 Grazer – A two-time defending champion looking for a third straight win.
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128 Jr. – Grazer’s offspring and winner of Fat Bear Junior, now stepping up to the main stage.
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602 Flotato – Beloved for its quirky stomping dance at Brooks River.
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32 Chunk – Last year’s runner-up, back in competition after recovering from a broken jaw.
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Bear 856 and Bear 909 – Early winners in the first round of voting.
Other notable participants include bears 503, 901, 26, 99, and 910, each with distinct personalities and survival strategies.
Katmai National Park and the Spirit of the Contest
Katmai National Park serves as the home of Fat Bear Week, with the Brooks River area offering some of the best salmon runs in Alaska. The abundance of salmon this year has helped many bears gain exceptional weight, raising the stakes in this year’s competition. The event not only entertains but also educates the public on the importance of salmon ecosystems and the bears’ struggle for survival.
The park emphasizes the phrase “fat bears are successful bears,” reminding participants that size is crucial for enduring long winters in hibernation. Fat Bear Week also raises awareness of environmental pressures such as climate change and habitat preservation.
Early Fat Bear Week Voting Results
The first day of voting on September 23 saw Bear 856 and Bear 909 advance in the bracket, setting the tone for a competitive week ahead. Each daily vote narrows down the field until the final champion is crowned on September 30. Past editions have seen occasional controversies, including vote-stuffing incidents and unexpected wildlife drama, but this year’s contest has started smoothly.
What to Expect as Fat Bear Week Progresses
As fat bear week voting continues, matchups are expected to become more intense, especially as fan favorites face off. A potential clash between Grazer and Chunk or even Grazer versus 128 Jr. could generate huge attention. The outcome is not only about physical size; personality, resilience, and public sentiment often play a role in determining the winner.
Fans around the world can follow along daily by checking the official voting site, monitoring live webcams, and staying tuned for updates as the final showdown approaches.
Katmai National Park Bear Cams Keep Fans Connected
One of the most popular elements of Fat Bear Week is the availability of live bear cams. Through Explore.org, audiences can watch the Brooks River in real time, observing the bears catch salmon, interact with rivals, and showcase their personalities. These live feeds help voters make informed choices and connect audiences to the wilderness of Katmai National Park without leaving their homes.
Fat Bear Junior and the Next Generation
The addition of Fat Bear Junior has further expanded the competition, giving younger bears a chance to shine before advancing to the main event. This year, 128 Jr. captured the title, demonstrating both growth and popularity, and has now joined the larger bracket. The inclusion of younger bears emphasizes the ongoing cycle of survival and adaptation in Katmai.
The Bigger Picture: Brown Bear Hibernation and Survival
The contest ultimately ties back to the biological needs of Alaskan brown bears. As autumn progresses, bears consume vast amounts of salmon and berries to build fat reserves critical for hibernation. Observers learn about brown bear hibernation and survival challenges while enjoying the fun of the competition. Fat Bear Week transforms an essential ecological process into a global event that combines education, conservation, and entertainment.
