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Fat Bear Week 2026 rolls out a bracket that’s bigger than ever : NPR
npr.org • • nation
Key Points:
- Katmai National Park in Alaska has launched the 2026 Fat Bear Week competition, featuring 16 brown bears competing to showcase their weight gain for hibernation, up from 12 bears in previous years.
- Officials highlight a generational shift with an increase in cubs at Brooks Camp, signaling a healthy ecosystem and the emergence of a new generation of fat bears.
- New notable contenders include Bear 89 ("Backpack"), known for riding on his mother’s back as a cub due to injury, and Bear 151 Walker, a dominant male on the river.
- Public voting for the single-elimination tournament begins on September 22 and concludes with a winner announced on September 29, with viewers able to watch bear activity live via webcams on Explore.org.
- Fat Bear Week serves as an educational tool about brown bears, sockeye salmon, and the ecosystem, drawing international interest with over 1.7 million votes from more than 100 countries in 2025.
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