Fat Bear Week Begins Amid Tragic Incident

The annual Fat Bear Week contest at Katmai National Park in Alaska, which celebrates the resilience of the park's 2,200 brown bears, will kick off voting on Wednesday after a delay caused by the death of a contestant, Bear 402, killed during a fight with another male bear. This year marks the contest's 10th anniversary, allowing the public to vote on their favorite among 12 fattened bears preparing for winter, largely by consuming abundant sockeye salmon. The fatal incident was captured live by the park's webcams, highlighting the harsh realities of wildlife survival. Park officials emphasized the importance of acknowledging both the beauty and brutality of nature, stating that each bear competes for survival. A live discussion about the bear's death was held by explore.org, the nonprofit organization that streams the bear cameras and organizes the event. Despite the tragic event, the competition continues to focus on the bears' impressive ability to gain weight.