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Gentle giant Backpack declared winner of Alaska’s Fat Bear Week
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Backpack, known for his peaceful demeanor, won the 12th annual Fat Bear Week as the heaviest bear in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, securing over 100,000 votes and narrowly defeating Bear 910.
- The contest celebrates the 2,200 brown bears living in the preserve and highlights their survival strategy of gaining fat by feasting on salmon before winter hibernation.
- Backpack is the son of former champion Holly and is noted for his “quiet strength,” often observed calmly enjoying the scenery rather than engaging in aggressive behavior.
- This year’s tournament featured 16 bears in a single-elimination bracket, with public voting conducted online and live bear footage available via explore.org.
- The event also recognized bear families, with Bear 132 and her cubs reaching the semifinals, underscoring the challenges mother bears face in feeding and protecting their young.
