Why Fat Bear Week is about personalities, not just fatness

25 Sep 2026 · 4:05

Episode Why Fat Bear Week is about personalities, not just fatness

0:00 4:05

It's Alaska's most-watched popularity contest: Fat Bear Week is back for its 12th year at Katmai National Park.

Sixteen brown bears are competing and millions of people worldwide are voting online for their favourite after watching them on the park's live webcams.

Mike Fitz, the former park ranger who started the tradition in 2014, says fatness isn't the only thing that matters - a bear's story counts too.

So what does it actually take to become a Fat Bear Week champion?

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