Katmai adds bear families to Fat Bear Week competition

Katmai National Park and Preserve announced that this year’s Fat Bear Week will feature entire bear families for the first time, a move intended to recognize the extra effort mother bears expend to fatten both themselves and their cubs. The park noted that a record number of families fed on salmon at Brooks River this summer, prompting the inclusion of five family units alongside 11 solo adult competitors.

The bracket-style vote, which runs until next Tuesday, has attracted participants from around the world; last year more than 1.5 million people in over 100 countries cast ballots. Fans such as Rebecca Mahan, who follows the contest from Ireland, welcomed the change, saying it gives “moms…more credit in the bear world.”

Park ranger Sarah Bruce highlighted the appeal of the cubs, calling spring cubs “always my favorite bears.” She also described Bear 806’s unusual family, which includes a cub the bear adopted and a newborn she gave birth to this spring, noting the “behavioral flexibility” shown by the mother. Other families, such as Bear 132 with three spring cubs, illustrate the challenges mothers face in sharing salmon catches.

The competition also features several well-known adult bears, including defending champion Chunk and a large male dubbed Walker. Rangers explained that bears must be photographed in spring, fall and side profile to qualify. The expanded bracket generated the highest first-day turnout in the event’s history, causing temporary technical delays on the voting platform.

Organizers said the vote serves as a fundraiser for the Katmai Conservancy, which supports park operations. The inclusion of families aims to broaden public appreciation for the maternal role in the bears’ seasonal fattening process.