Fat Bear Week 2026 is here: Meet Chunk, Bucky and other contenders

TL;DR

Sixteen bears are competing in Fat Bear Week 2026 at Katmai National Park and Preserve.
The competition started Tuesday, Sept. 22, and runs through Sept. 29, with online voting available daily.
The event showcases bears that have reached "peak fat" after consuming salmon, berries, and other foods to survive winter hibernation.
Live cams on Explore.org allow the public to watch the bears in their natural habitat.
Notable contenders include defending champion Chunk, 89 Backpack, 151 Walker, 164 Bucky, 903 Gully, 132, 284 Electra, 610, 806, 901, 620, 694, 131 Marshmallow, 428 Studious, 909, and 910.

Continue reading the original article