Chunk Wins Fat Bear Week 2025

Chunk (Bear 32) won Fat Bear Week 2025, defeating Bear 856 in the final by about 96,350 votes to 63,725. Organizers estimate Chunk weighed roughly 1,200 pounds; bears are not physically weighed, so estimates use past LIDAR density scans and observational data. Chunk packed on weight despite a broken jaw likely sustained in a summer fight, a sign of resilience rangers noted. The livestreamed, bracket-style contest run by Katmai National Park partners on Explore.org drew a record turnout of more than 1.5 million votes and featured live webcams. Launched in 2014, Fat Bear Week raises public awareness of brown bear biology, habitat and conservation and supports Katmai's research and outreach efforts.