Fat Bear Week 2024: Grazer takes the crown after confronting her cub’s killer

Bear sneaks up behind boy in Aspen

A boy was sitting near a fire pit eating kettle corn in Aspen, Colorado when an unexpected visitor began lurking dangerously close. Video: KDVR

LOS ANGELES - The 2024 Fat Bear Week contest took an emotional turn as Grazer, a well-known brown bear from Alaska’s Katmai National Park, was crowned this year’s champion. Grazer’s victory was especially poignant, as she triumphed over Chunk, the dominant male bear who killed her cub earlier this summer.

Fat Bear Week is an annual online competition where fans vote for the brown bear they believe is best prepared for winter hibernation. The bears are judged on their size and ability to store fat by feasting on the abundant salmon that run through Brooks River. Fans cast their votes via live cams at Explore.org, watching bears gorge themselves on salmon in the lead-up to winter.

A tragic summer for Grazer

Earlier this summer, Grazer suffered a devastating loss when one of her cubs was killed by Chunk at Brooks Falls. The tragic event, captured on Explore.org’s live cameras, shocked viewers worldwide. Despite her efforts to protect her cub, Grazer was unable to save it from the aggressive male.

This year’s Fat Bear Week victory, where she defeated Chunk by more than 40,000 votes, felt like a form of poetic justice for the bear who has captivated fans for years.

What is Fat Bear Week?

Fat Bear Week is a bracket-style competition that has grown in popularity since its inception in 2014. Fans vote online in daily head-to-head matchups between 12 bears, selecting the bear they think is best prepared for hibernation based on their impressive size and weight gain from feeding on salmon.

Katmai National Park is home to about 2,200 brown bears, and the competition has become a way to highlight the resilience of the bears and the ecosystem that sustains them. The park’s pristine waters fuel one of the largest salmon runs in the world, allowing the bears to feast and bulk up before hibernation.

A closer look at Grazer and Chunk

Grazer, easily identified by her blond ears and long, straight muzzle, has been a formidable presence along the Brooks River for years. Her strength and fearlessness have earned her the respect of other bears, with many avoiding confrontation with her. This year, Grazer's ability to survive the loss of her cub and dominate the river earned her the admiration of fans, culminating in her second Fat Bear Week win.

Chunk, known for his narrow-set eyes and bulky form, has also been a major presence at Brooks River. This year, he rose to the top of the river’s hierarchy, securing prime fishing spots and gaining a reputation for his aggression. In just one sitting, he was seen devouring 42 salmon in 10 hours. Despite his physical dominance, he ultimately lost the Fat Bear Week title to Grazer.