PREVIEW

Alaska's Beasts Get Out Of Shape For Fat Bear Week 2024. Alaska's famous Fat Bear Week, one of the most beloved events in wildlife conservation, is marking its 10th anniversary. Running from 2 to 8 October 2024, the beloved competition asks members of the public to vote for the bear that has put on the most weight over the summer. Fans of the bears from Katmai National Park and Preserve compare early and late summer photos and learn more about each bear's history. At the end of each day, the bear with the most votes progresses to the next round, with the grand finale crowning the Fat Bear Week champion on Tuesday, 8 October. Grazer, the 2023 champion, is now a proud mother, raising her first cub. If she retains her title this year, she will make history as the first mother bear to win the competition. Her cub is also competing for a junior prize. Meanwhile, last year's runner-up, Chunk, remains the most dominant bear at Brooks Falls but has yet to claim the Fat Bear crown. Both Grazer and Chunk are fierce competitors in the wild and in this year's tournament. Since its inception in 2014, Fat Bear Week has captured the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers across the globe. What began as a one-day event attracting 1,700 votes has evolved into a global phenomenon, with nearly 1.4 million votes cast from over 100 countries in 2023.