Fat Bear Week Jr. Crowned as Junior Competition Concludes in Katmai

Lead Katmai Conservancy today announced 128 Jr as the winner of Fat Bear Week Jr, besting a field of four cub contenders in an online vote held September 18-19 in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.

Nut Graf The Fat Bear Week Jr contest spotlights cubs’ early efforts to pack on weight ahead of winter, engaging global audiences and raising awareness of hyperphagia-the bears’ natural feeding frenzy-and its reliance on robust salmon runs.

Bracket Reveal and Voting Schedule

• Fat Bear Week 2025 adult bracket to be unveiled on September 22.
• Public voting opens September 23 at fatbearweek.org and runs through September 30, with daily rounds narrowing 12 adult bears to the champion.

Exceptional Salmon Season Katmai officials report this year’s sockeye run as “extraordinary,” leading to plumper bears and heightened competition. Voters can expect record-breaking weights and dramatic matchups among past champions and new challengers.

Notable Contenders

• Grazer (Bear 128): Two-time defending champion mother known for her assertive fishing beneath Brooks Falls.
• Chunk (Bear 32): Resilient male with a healed jaw injury, celebrated for his enduring strength.
• Otis (Bear 480) and Bear Force One (Bear 747): Renowned for their patient “sit and wait” tactics and massive bulk.

Global Engagement Since its 2014 inception, Fat Bear Week has drawn over a million votes annually from over 100 countries, leveraging bearcams to connect viewers worldwide with Katmai’s vibrant ecosystem.

Next Steps Viewers can review cub-to-adult comparisons on Explore.org ahead of Monday’s bracket reveal and prepare to vote for the fattest, most successful adult bears as they strive to survive hibernation.