October 1, 2025, 9:34 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The stage was grand, the tension immense—and in the end, an injured giant prevailed. In the largest “Fat Bear Week” to date at Katmai National Park in Alaska, the brown bear “32 Chunk” was crowned the 2025 winner with nearly 100,000 votes. The giant of the Brooks River scene had started the season with a severe injury.
Ten Years of Fat and Sympathy: The Story of “Fat Bear Week”
What at first glance seems like a quirky internet hype and a typically American contest has evolved over the past ten years into a serious and popular conservation campaign. The “Fat Bear Week” at Katmai National Park in Alaska was launched in 2014. A competition aimed at raising awareness of the importance of healthy bear populations and their fragile ecosystem.
Every year in the fall, viewers worldwide vote on which bear they believe has built up the best fat reserves for the harsh winter. The online voting is based on before-and-after photos, livestream observations, and the unique personalities of the animals.
But the event is more than just a public vote: It’s also a stage for great dramas—like the one involving the brown bear 128 Grazer. The mother of three was named the “fattest bear in the world” in 2023. In 2024, she impressed again with her sophisticated hunting tactics, where even small and weakened salmon are not safe. Last year, however, it turned tragic when one of her cubs died following a confrontation with 32 Chunk—a moment broadcast live that moved many fans emotionally. In 2025, the “Fat Bear” title went to none other than Chunk.
Record Vote with Millions of Votes
After a week of online voting, the rangers announced: 32 Chunk, often referred to as “the most dominant brown bear on the river,” clearly prevailed over competitor 856. The perennial rival Grazer was eliminated in the semifinals of Fat Bear Week 2025.
Chunk received 96,350 votes, while 856 garnered 63,725. In total, more than 1.5 million votes were cast—the most ever, as naturalist Mike Fitz emphasized during the livestream. 1
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With narrow-set eyes, dark fur, a prominent brow ridge, and a noticeable scar over his snout, Chunk is unmistakable. Despite a broken jaw, likely the result of a fight over a female, he managed to consume enormous amounts of salmon and build reserves for the winter. “A fat bear means a successful bear,” explained ranger Ashleigh Monaco. “A fat bear means a bear more likely to survive hibernation.”
His estimated weight at the end was around 1,200 pounds (about 544 kilograms). Officially, the animals are not weighed to avoid endangering them; previous laser scans using Lidar technology are used for estimation.
This year, however, Chunk turned a new page. Naomi Boak, media manager and an eleven-year loyal voter, recalled the concerns in June when Chunk appeared with a fresh jaw injury. She said she thought, “Will he even be able to fish? Will he even survive?” Instead, the audience witnessed him gain so much weight that no one thought possible with such an injury.
New Titleholders Among the Bear Families
But there was also a success story for Grazer this year. Her offspring, 128 Jr, was named the “fattest bear cub” this year. Monaco referred to mother and son in the livestream as the park’s “Royal Family.”
Katmai National Park is home to some of the largest brown bears in the world. Male bears can weigh over 1,200 pounds in the fall. Fat Bear Week, held annually since 2014, showcases the animals in an online tournament format—with spectacular live images of salmon fishing and bear rivalries.
Only bears that have already started fishing for salmon at Brooks River in late summer and early fall are eligible to participate. Since the end of June, the animals have been gorging on sockeye salmon there to prepare for the energy-draining hibernation. During this time, they often lose a third of their body weight—making the prior “fattening up” crucial.
My Heart Beats for Grazer
“It’s a shame that 128 Grazer didn’t manage to claim the title for the third time. As a ‘Momma Bear’ who not only defends her cubs but also catches small, weak, or sick fish—anything that provides energy—she represents an impressive mix of instinct, endurance, and care.
Nevertheless, one must acknowledge 32 Chunk’s achievement. To get through an entire season with a broken jaw and still gain so much weight is extraordinary. It shows how things go in the real wild. And it honors the viewers who could appreciate Chunk’s performance after his behavior last year. This year’s title rightfully goes to him—even though my heart still belongs to Grazer.”