Grazer secures victory despite a tragic defeat against Chunk

In a plot reminiscent of melodrama, Grazer has claimed victory in the Fat Bear Contest for the second time, triumphing over Chunk, the male bear responsible for the death of her cub earlier this summer.

In a plot reminiscent of melodrama, Grazer has claimed victory in the Fat Bear Contest for the second time, triumphing over Chunk, the male bear responsible for the death of her cub earlier this summer. Grazer secured her victory with more than 40,000 votes from fans watching live cameras at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

The competition

The annual competition invites viewers to vote for their favorite bear and show how ready they are for winter based on the fat they have accumulated over the summer. This year’s tournament began with 12 participants, all of whom had spent the summer feasting on sockeye salmon as they swim upriver to spawn.

A heartbreaking encounter

Grazer’s story is marked by tragedy; Her cub died after slipping over a waterfall and being attacked by Chunk, the river’s dominant brown bear. Grazer’s desperate attempt to save her cub was captured live, illustrating the harsh reality of life in the wild.

Current tragedies

The contest was delayed due to another heartbreaking incident: Bear 402, a female bear scheduled to compete, was killed by a male brown bear just days before the contest series was released.

Meet the competitors

Grazer is known for her striking facial features, including striking blonde ears and a long snout, which earn her respect in the bear community. Her remaining cub from a previous litter even took second place in the Fat Bear Junior competition. Meanwhile, Chunk, distinguished by his scarred snout and impressive size, dominated the river’s hierarchy and used his strength to secure prime fishing spots.

We celebrate the resilience of brown bears

The Fat Bear Contest serves as a tribute to the resilience of the 2,200 brown bears that live in the sanctuary on the Alaska Peninsula. Last year the competition received over 1.3 million votes, highlighting the public’s fascination with these magnificent creatures.

As Katmai continues to attract tourists wanting to watch the bears in action, viewing stands have been erected along the river, providing a perfect vantage point for bear-watching enthusiasts.

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