Every October, brown bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska are part of an online contest. The event, called “Fat Bear Week,” celebrates the bear that gains the most weight each fall!
The bears fatten up so they’re ready for winter. When temperatures drop, food becomes harder to find. Like many other animals, brown bears hibernate, or go into a sleeplike state, for winter. They don’t eat, drink, or leave their dens until spring. Instead, they use their extra body fat for energy and warmth.
During “Fat Bear Week,” people vote for which bear they think is fattest. Voters compare photos and watch videos of the bears eating fish, nuts, and insects. “I once watched a bear catch and eat over 40 salmon in a day!” says Mike Fitz, a former park ranger.