Fat Bear Week is back, baby!The annual competition at Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve kicks off Tuesday with 16 brown bears vying for the title of chonkiest champ.This year's bracket features a defending champion, a few rising stars and some heavyweight opening-round matchups.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK OUTDOORSHere's how it works: Two bears face off in a single-elimination tournament, and fans vote for the one they believe has done the best job packing on the pounds ahead of winter hibernation.More than 1.7 million votes were cast during last year's competition, which saw Bear 32 — better known as "Chunk" — claim the title.Now, the reigning champ is back for another shot at glory.
But he's got some serious competition.Chunk won last year's competition despite suffering a broken jaw in June 2025, likely during a fight with another bear.The injury left him with a distinctive scar and protruding canine tooth, but it apparently didn't slow down his appetite.Bear 32 — otherwise known as "Chunk" — is the reigning Fat Bear Week champ.
(Courtesy of C.Loberg / Explore.org)This summer, Chunk was largely absent from Brooks River during the salmon run before returning in September with a substantial belly.Park officials aren't sure where he spent most of his summer.
But wherever he was, he wasn't skipping meals.And he's going to need every pound.His title defense begins Wednesday against Bear 164, Bucky, one of the river's emerging heavyweights.Bucky has grown considerably in recent years, developing the size and confidence to challenge other dominant males for access to the best fishing spots.He's also figured out a pretty clever way to keep himself fed.While other bears compete for the same prime real estate at Brooks Falls, Bucky has learned to position himself near the waterfall's deepest plunge pool, where he can catch salmon jumping through the air, rising from below or falling from above.At 9 years old, Bear 164 (or "Bucky") already ...