TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The brown bears of Katmai National Park have been scarfing down salmon all summer long, and now that the seasons are changing, the time has come to crown the heavyweight champion.
Fat Bear Week started on Sept. 23 and wraps up on Tuesday, when thousands across the country will choose between two beasts of epic proportions.
Up first is 32 Chunk, a large adult male with dark brown fur and a fearsome scar across his nose. He’s estimated to be around 1,200 lbs. and is one of the largest regulars at Brooks River, the go-to spot for brown bears looking to cash in on the Alaskan salmon run.
Chunk has also faced some serious adversity this season, showing up to the party in June with a broken jaw. Scientists believe he was injured in a fight with another bear, due to the timing and nature of the injury.
Despite the blow to one of his most important weapons, Chunk quickly adapted. He learned to successfully catch and eat salmon without the full use of his jaw and avoid skirmishes with the other heavyweights on the river.
He’s facing off with 856, another large male who dominated the river for over a decade with his massive size and fighting skills. When standing, he’s estimated to be over 5 feet at the shoulder.
As 856 gets older, he’s had to become more strategic when picking his battles with younger males. While he used to be able to throw his weight around the river to secure the best fishing spots, he now relies more on his intelligence to have a successful, salmon-filled summer.
The final matchup in Fat Bear Week 2025 is a tough choice between two bears with equally impressive sizes, skills and adaptability, and it’s anybody’s guess who will come out on top this year.
Vote in the last round of Fat Bear Week.
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