Chunk the Champion Bear Returns for Fat Bear Week 2026
Katmai's reigning champion bear prepares to defend his title in the annual competition.
1Chunk's triumphant return
Bear #32, known as Chunk, has reappeared on explore.org's live cameras at Katmai National Park just in time for Fat Bear Week 2026. The 2025 champion won with a record 96,350 votes, surpassing runner-up Bear 856 by 30,000 votes. His distinctive features include dark brown fur, a large muzzle scar, and a misaligned jaw from a 2025 injury. Despite this injury, Chunk adapted his fishing techniques to remain one of Brooks River's largest bears, estimated at over 1,200 pounds.
2Adapting to physical challenges
After emerging from hibernation in 2025 with a broken jaw likely from a bear fight, Chunk demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Rangers observed him modifying his behavior to avoid confrontations with larger males and developing new salmon-eating techniques. His size still allowed access to prime fishing spots. This resilience contributed to his 2025 championship win, proving physical limitations don't necessarily hinder dominance in Katmai's bear hierarchy.
3Early season appearance
Cameras spotted Chunk as early as April 2026, an unusual sighting since Katmai bears typically emerge in June with the salmon run. His early appearance walking across ice patches generated excitement among wildlife observers. This early sighting suggests Chunk may be particularly active this season, potentially giving him an advantage in accumulating weight before the competition period begins in September.
4Rivalry with Grazer
Chunk's path hasn't been without setbacks - he lost to mother bear Grazer in both 2023 and 2024. Their rivalry intensified after a 2024 incident where Chunk attacked Grazer's cubs near a waterfall, resulting in one fatality. Grazer's defensive actions during this encounter demonstrated the complex social dynamics and maternal protection behaviors in Katmai's bear population. This history adds drama to their potential 2026 matchup.
5Voting mechanics
Fat Bear Week 2026 runs September 22-29, with voting open daily from noon to 9 p.m. EDT. The competition showcases before-and-after photos demonstrating bears' summer weight gains, with males typically growing from 700 to 1,200 pounds. Voters consider both physical transformation and each bear's survival challenges. The bracket reveal on September 18 will determine if Chunk gets a chance to defend his title against previous champions like Grazer.
6Conservation efforts
The event supports wildlife conservation through the Katmai Conservancy's Otis Fund, named after four-time champion Bear #480. Donations made September 22-October 3 will be matched by explore.org. These funds contribute to research and protection of Katmai's bear population, helping maintain the ecosystem that makes events like Fat Bear Week possible while educating the public about brown bear conservation needs.
72026 season dynamics
This summer's livestream revealed nature's harsh realities, including unprecedented cub predation incidents. In July, cameras captured a mother bear killing an unrelated cub, while in August another cub died after a tree confrontation. Naturalists noted these may be the first documented cases of such behavior at Brooks River. Experts suggest food scarcity, dominance struggles, and adoption attempts may contribute to these rare but natural occurrences.
8Cultural phenomenon
Fat Bear Week has grown from ecological observation to a significant cultural event, blending wildlife education with competitive entertainment. Chunk's popularity reflects public fascination with individual animal personalities and survival stories. The event's success demonstrates how digital platforms can create meaningful connections between global audiences and remote ecosystems, fostering conservation awareness through engaging storytelling and community participation.
Original article: Popular Science — Chunk the Champion Bear Returns for Fat Bear Week 2026