The results of the 13th annual Fat Bear Week competition
89 Backpack has been officially declared the winner of the annual Fat Bear Week competition held at Katmai National Park in Alaska. In a final round characterized by the US National Parks Service as a strategic battle of size, skill, and snack acquisition, Backpack narrowly edged out a competitor known as 910. According to the National Parks Service, Backpack secured 103,344 votes, while Bear 910 received 98,253 votes.
The competition, now in its thirteenth year, featured 16 bears that participated in the seasonal weight-gain spectacle. While the final weights of the finalists have not been released, the public engagement remains massive. Last year, the event saw over 1.7 million votes cast by participants from more than 100 different countries, demonstrating the global fascination with the survival strategies of these Alaskan predators.
A legacy of size
Backpack's victory is part of a notable lineage within the park. His mother, Holly, was previously crowned the winner of Fat Bear Week in 2019. His name is derived from his childhood behavior of climbing onto Holly's back while she navigated the salmon-rich waters of the Brooks River, rather than his physical shape.
The biological necessity of autumn weight gain
The intense competition for calories seen during Fat Bear Week is a direct response to the physiological demands of the Alaskan climate. For brown bears, the period between June and mid-October is a critical window for hyperphagia, during which they gorge on food sources such as salmon caught with their paws or jaws.
According to the National Parks Service, the winter survival of these animals depends entirely on their ability to accumulate significant fat reserves before they enter their dens. During the hibernation period, which can last up to six months, bears do not consume food or water. This period of dormancy results in the loss of approximately one-third of their total body weight. Without sufficient fat stores acquired during the summer and autumn, the bears face significant risks to their survival.
Average weights and growth patterns
The physical scale of these bears is immense. Adult male brown bears reach an average weight of up to 408kg during mid-summer, but they frequently increase their mass by roughly 25% of their body weight by the time autumn arrives. The largest males in the region can exceed 540kg. While females are generally smaller, they can still reach weights surpassing 300kg. This is a staggering transformation from when cubs are born, weighing only about half a kilogram.
Public sentiment and the rivalry between finalists
The competition has fostered a passionate community of supporters, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook. The rivalry between 89 Backpack and Bear 910 highlighted the different ways voters perceive the bears. While Backpack was celebrated for his "quiet toughness" and ability to thrive alongside the largest bears at Brooks River, Bear 910 had a dedicated following that appreciated her maternal role.
Bear 910, a female who raised both her biological cub and an adopted niece, was viewed by some voters as a more well-rounded competitor. Detractors of Backpack argued that 910 had put in more effort this year, with some fans noting her impressive physique. Conversely, supporters of Backpack used colorful language to describe his impressive physical proportions, emphasizing his successful preparation for the upcoming hibernation season.
