Fat Bear Junior Kicks Off Alaska’s Beloved Fat Bear Week

Lead: Fat Bear Junior, the precursor to the annual Fat Bear Week, began today at Katmai National Park, inviting the public to vote for the chubbiest cub in a two-day online contest running September 18-19.

Nut Graf: As young bears bulk up for hibernation, Fat Bear Junior offers a glimpse of next week’s main event and raises awareness about brown bear conservation in one of America’s most remote national parks.

Chubby Cubby Showdown

When: Voting opens at 9 a.m. AKDT, September 18, and closes at 11:59 p.m. AKDT, September 19.
Where: Online at fatbearweek.org and explore.org’s live chat.
Who: Four yearling cubs-offspring of notable bears like Grazer and 910-compete for a spot in the main bracket.

Why Fat Bear Junior Matters

Fat Bear Junior celebrates the buoyant appetites of adolescent brown bears as they prepare for their first or second winter hibernation. By spotlighting cubs, the event educates global audiences about Katmai’s fragile ecosystem and the importance of healthy salmon runs to bear survival.

Road to the Main Event

The Junior champion advances to the Fat Bear Week bracket reveal on September 22 at 3 p.m. AKDT, followed by adult bear voting from September 23 to 30, culminating in the crowning of the 2025 Fat Bear Week champion on September 30.

How to Engage

View live cams at Brooks River for real-time bear footage.
Join expert Q&A sessions with National Park Service rangers and naturalists.
Follow #FatBearWeek on social media for updates and bear profiles.

Conservation Impact

Since its inception in 2014, Fat Bear Week has drawn millions of votes, fostering a sense of stewardship for Alaska’s brown bears and their habitat. Events like Fat Bear Junior extend this conservation message to younger generations and wider audiences, ensuring support for Katmai’s bears and the critical salmon populations they depend on.