FAT BEAR WEEK
2026
Meet the bears of Brooks River
Katmai National Park, Alaska
Why do brown bears get so fat?
EAT
Bears catch salmon and eat other foods all summer.
STORE
Their bodies store energy as fat.
SLEEP
Stored fat helps bears survive winter in their dens.
A fat bear is a successful bear.
132 and Three Spring Cubs
BEAR FAMILY
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Look for dark brown fur and a V-shaped mark on her forehead.
BEAR STORY
132 is an experienced mother. She reunited with a cub after they were separated for several days.
early summer
late summer
284 and Two Spring Cubs
BEAR FAMILY
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
She has blond-tipped ears and a strong shoulder hump.
BEAR STORY
284 learned the river from her mother and now passes those skills to her own cubs.
early summer
late summer
610 and Two Spring Cubs
BEAR FAMILY
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
610 is a small mother with light brown, grizzled fur.
BEAR STORY
These are her first known cubs. She kept them safe throughout the summer.
early summer
late summer
806 and Her Two Cubs
BEAR FAMILY
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
She has round, blond-tipped ears and grizzled brown fur.
BEAR STORY
Her family includes one spring cub and an older cub named Biggie, whom she adopted.
early summer
late summer
901 and Her Spring Cub
BEAR FAMILY
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
901 has triangle-shaped ears with blond edges.
BEAR STORY
She is a skilled fisher. Her surviving cub grew into one of the largest cubs at the river.
early summer
late summer
620
SUBADULT FEMALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
She has light brown fur and a noticeably long tail.
BEAR STORY
620 is learning to live independently after growing up in an unusual blended bear family.
early summer
late summer
694
SUBADULT MALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
He has round ears high on his head and evenly brown fur.
BEAR STORY
694 likes to play with other young bears, but he stops playing when a salmon catches his attention.
early summer
late summer
131
ADULT FEMALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
She has blond ears, dark eye rings, and a short muzzle.
BEAR STORY
131 has grown larger and become a better fisher each year. She looks fatter than ever this fall.
early summer
late summer
428 Studious
ADULT FEMALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Studious has blond ears and light, grizzled fur.
BEAR STORY
She earned her nickname by watching closely and learning to fish at the lip of Brooks Falls.
early summer
late summer
909
ADULT FEMALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
909 is a large bear with wide-set blond ears.
BEAR STORY
She kept fishing and building fat after a very difficult summer. Her body shows her resilience.
early summer
late summer
910
ADULT FEMALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
She has dark brown fur, a strong brow ridge, and short ears.
BEAR STORY
910 is an excellent fisher. She sometimes lifts her head in a distinctive way at Brooks Falls.
early summer
late summer
32 Chunk
ADULT MALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Chunk has a muzzle scar and a visible tooth from a broken jaw.
BEAR STORY
He adapted to his injury, kept eating, and won Fat Bear Week in 2025.
early summer
late summer
89 Backpack
ADULT MALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Backpack has blond ears and grizzled brown fur.
BEAR STORY
He got his nickname because he rode on his mother Holly's back while she swam.
early summer
late summer
151 Walker
ADULT MALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Walker has dark fur, a long muzzle, and a pear-shaped body.
BEAR STORY
He loved to play when he was young. As an adult, he is more likely to challenge other bears.
early summer
late summer
164 Bucky
ADULT MALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Bucky has blond-tipped ears and darker fur near his eyes.
BEAR STORY
He discovered a difficult fishing spot under the waterfall that other bears rarely use.
early summer
late summer
903 Gully
ADULT MALE
HOW TO SPOT THIS BEAR
Gully has a long, straight muzzle and grizzled brown fur.
BEAR STORY
He earned his nickname by chasing gulls. Now he is large enough to compete for top fishing spots.
early summer
late summer
WHO GETS YOUR VOTE?
Look at each bear's growth, story, and success.
I vote for bear ________.
Voting runs September 22-29, 2026