Fat Bear Week Begins at Katmai National Park

Voting for the 10th annual Fat Bear Week contest at Katmai National Park, Alaska, began Wednesday, allowing viewers to choose their favorite from a dozen brown bears that have fattened up for winter. The contest was delayed by a day after the tragic death of a contestant, Bear 402, who was killed by a male bear during a fight, an event captured by park livestream cameras. Katmai National Park spokesperson Matt Johnson emphasized that while the event celebrates the bears' resilience, it also highlights the harsh realities of their lives. The nonprofit explore.org, which organizes the event and livestreams the bears, hosted discussions about the incident, underscoring the inherent dangers these bears face. Naturalist Mike Fitz noted that the competition is not just about celebrating the bears' successes but also recognizing the challenges they endure. This year's bracket features 12 bears, with eight competing in the first round and four receiving byes to the second round.