Fat Bear Week returns to Katmai National Park with an unusually large number of cubs reported at Brooks Camp, signaling a strong new cohort of brown bears. The annual, public-voted contest — which began as "Fat Bear Tuesday" in 2014 — highlights bears as they bulk up for hibernation. Live webcams from Explore.org stream activity at Brooks Falls, and public voting runs on the official Fat Bear Week site from September 22 to 29.
Fat Bear Week Returns — Katmai Sees an Unusually Large Cohort of Cubs
Brown bear at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, AlaskaExplore.org
Fat Bear Week is back, and this year a fresh generation of hefty young brown bears is drawing extra attention at Katmai National Park. The annual, public-voted contest celebrates the season’s most corpulent brown bears as they bulk up for winter hibernation.
What’s New This Year
Park rangers at Brooks Camp report an unusually high number of cubs this season, suggesting a strong cohort of young bears that could shape future Fat Bear Week competitions. Katmai Park Superintendent Mark Sturm told the National Park Service: “There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time. A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they're off to a strong start. We're excited to watch them grow and learn as they prepare for winter in Katmai's incredible ecosystem.”
Why Brooks Falls Matters
Brooks Falls is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier locations to observe brown bears fishing for salmon. Live webcams maintained by Explore.org give viewers an up-close look at bears catching fish, wrestling, and preparing to hibernate — activities that make Fat Bear Week a global phenomenon.
From Humble Beginnings to a Global Event
What began as a modest publicity event called “Fat Bear Tuesday” has grown into a viral, weeklong festival since 2014. Social media and mainstream coverage have expanded its reach, turning a conservation-minded celebration into one of Alaska’s best-known wildlife spectacles.
How to Watch and Vote
Viewers can watch live footage from Brooks Falls on Explore.org and follow daily updates on the official Fat Bear Week site. Public voting runs from September 22 to September 29, with fans casting ballots in a bracket-style tournament to determine the season’s fattest bear.
Whether you’re watching for the dramatic salmon chases, the playful interactions between cubs and adults, or to support a favorite contender (like the reigning heavyweight popularly known as “Chunk”), Fat Bear Week offers a front-row seat to one of nature’s great seasonal transformations.
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