Grazer won her second Fat Bear Contest by defeating Chunk in a surprising twist, as Chunk had previously killed one of Grazer’s cubs earlier in the summer at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. Fans voted for their favorite chunky bear based on their winter preparedness, with Grazer accumulating the most votes from viewers on explore.org’s live cameras at Brooks River. Grazer’s fearless and strong presence, as well as her efforts to save her cub from Chunk, earned her the victory in the contest.
The death of another bear, Bear 402, by a male brown bear delayed the release of the tournament bracket for a day, adding drama to the competition. Grazer’s surviving cub from her third litter also placed second in the Fat Bear Junior contest. Chunk, known for his size and success in securing prime fishing spots, feasted on 42 salmon in 10 hours to bulk up for hibernation.
The annual Fat Bear Contest, which drew over 1.3 million votes last year, celebrates the resiliency of the 2,200 brown bears that inhabit the preserve on the Alaska Peninsula. The live cameras and viewing stands at Katmai have made it a popular tourist destination for those wanting to observe the brown bears in their natural habitat. The large males can weigh well over 1,000 pounds after feasting on migrating salmon, while females are smaller in size.
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