In brief
Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, a quirky livestreamed contest, crowned the large‑bodied bear Backpack as the state’s heavyweight champ after a tight vote. The 13th edition saw Backpack gain 103,344 votes versus competitor 910’s 98,253, securing the win. The National Parks Service highlighted the 16 bears that "involuntarily participated" in this long‑running event. Backpack’s name reflects his cub‑climbing habit, and supporters praised his bulk and charisma. The competition, attracting over 1.7 million votes worldwide last year, celebrates the relationship between people and wildlife in a light‑hearted yet data‑rich contest.
Backpack Wins Alaska’s Fat Bear Week
Alaska’s annual Fat Bear Week, a quirky tradition that turns the state’s rivers into a voting arena, has crowned a new heavyweight champion. This year’s contest saw the brown bear known as Backpack clinch 103,344 votes, beating rival 910’s 98,253 in a close contest.
The National Parks Service praised the 16 bears that "involuntarily participated" in the competition during its 13th year, celebrating the community’s engagement with wildlife. Backpack’s win comes after months of careful feeding and strategic loafing, prepping for a six‑month winter hibernation.
Backpack’s name is a nod to his habit as a cub of climbing onto his mother Holly’s back while she waded through the salmon‑rich Brooks River. Holly herself was Fat Bear Week’s 2019 champion, adding family flair to the trophy lineup.
Supporters laughed that Backpack carried "both the chonk and the badonk," while some praised 910 for her rigorous yearly workout, noting how audiences attach personal stories to these iconic animals.
Eighteen countries participated in last year’s vote, racking up over 1.7 million votes, underscoring the global appeal of the contest. The National Parks Service highlighted that bears gaining ample fat reserves can see a body‑weight loss of up to one‑third during hibernation, making Backpack’s victory a vital win for his survival.
With the river’s salmon plentiful, Backpack’s title is a reminder of the playful competition humans have with nature, turned into a global vote that celebrates our shared habitat and love for the wild.
