Grazer won her second Fat Bear Contest by defeating Chunk, who had killed her cub earlier in the summer at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. Fans cast votes online for their favorite bear based on their winter preparedness and accumulation of fat from feeding on salmon. Grazer’s cub tragically died after slipping over a waterfall and being killed by Chunk. Another bear, Bear 402, was killed by a male brown bear shortly before the release of the tournament bracket. Grazer is described as a fearless and strong presence on Brooks River, while Chunk is noted for his size, confidence, and aggression in securing prime fishing spots. The annual contest celebrates the resiliency of the 2,200 brown bears that live in the preserve on the Alaska Peninsula. The live cameras at Katmai have made it a popular tourist destination, allowing visitors to watch the brown bears fish for salmon from viewing stands. Brown bears typically weigh between 600 to 900 pounds in mid-summer, but large males can exceed 1,000 pounds after feasting on migrating and spawning salmon. Overall, the Fat Bear Contest serves as a way to recognize and appreciate the impressive brown bear population in the region.
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Grazer triumphs over the behemoth who slaughtered her cub to claim victory in this year’s competition
