Grazer, a fearless mother bear from Alaska’s Katmai National Park, won the 2024 Fat Bear Contest by defeating Chunk, a powerful male bear.
This victory came after a tragic summer, where Chunk killed one of Grazer’s cubs during a fight over fishing territory. Grazer’s win was decided by more than 40,000 votes from fans who watched live streams of the bears catching salmon in the Brooks River.
The Fat Bear Contest is an annual event where people vote for the bear that has gained the most weight to prepare for winter hibernation. Grazer, known for her golden ears and strong personality, was praised for her determination, which helped her dominate the river. Despite losing a cub, her other cub placed second in the Fat Bear Junior competition earlier.
Chunk, with his dark fur and large scar, is one of the biggest bears in the park. He often uses his size to claim the best fishing spots. This year, he ate 42 salmon in just 10 hours! Though Grazer defeated him in votes, Chunk remains one of the most dominant bears in the area.
The contest, which attracted over a million votes last year brings attention to Katmai’s thriving population of about 2,200 bears.
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