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Fat Bear Week 2026 Voting Opens Sept. 22 in Alaska

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Fat Bear Week Voting

U.S. National Park Service launches 2026 Fat Bear Week voting in Alaska on Sept. 22.
The contest uses a single-elimination bracket with 16 brown bears competing for the title.
Online voting runs from noon ET on Sept. 22 until the champion is announced on Sept. 29.
Last year’s winner Bear 32 “Chunk” weighed over 1,200 pounds despite a broken jaw.
Donations to Katmai Otis Fund from Sept. 22–Oct. 3 will be matched by Explore.org, aiding salmon-run conservation.

Summary

Bears Bulk Up

Bears gain roughly 700 to over 1,200 pounds between early summer and fall.
Salmon runs at Brooks Falls supply the calories bears need for winter fat.
Brown bears enter torpor in winter, stopping eating, drinking, and waste elimination.
903 Gully earned his nickname by eating both gulls and salmon.
Bear 610 survived a severe hip wound, likely from an attack, now raising cubs.

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Fat Bear Week Voting

U.S. National Park Service launches 2026 Fat Bear Week voting in Alaska on Sept. 22.
The contest uses a single-elimination bracket with 16 brown bears competing for the title.
Online voting runs from noon ET on Sept. 22 until the champion is announced on Sept. 29.
Last year’s winner Bear 32 “Chunk” weighed over 1,200 pounds despite a broken jaw.
Donations to Katmai Otis Fund from Sept. 22–Oct. 3 will be matched by Explore.org, aiding salmon-run conservation.

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