Fat Bear Week 2022: Alaska’s Best Week Of The Year Is Underway

Fat Bear Week is an annual event organized by the National Park Service and Katmai National Park to celebrate and educate the public about the importance of fat bears as indicators of a healthy ecosystem. The event started in 2014 and has grown to include a week-long competition where fans vote for the fattest bear. The competition highlights the significance of a healthy salmon run in Bristol Bay, which supports the bears' weight gain. The event also serves as an awareness campaign for climate change and conservation efforts.

What inspired the creation of Fat Bear Week?

Who was the winner of the inaugural Fat Bear Tournament?

How has Fat Bear Week evolved since its inception in 2014?

What role do fat bears play in understanding the health of the ecosystem in Katmai National Park?

What are some factors that influence the weight gain of female bears during Fat Bear Week?