**Backpack Declared Winner of Alaska's Fat Bear Week**
In a thrilling conclusion to the annual Fat Bear Week competition, a brown bear known as 89 Backpack has emerged victorious, securing his title with a total of 103,344 votes. This year’s competition saw Backpack narrowly defeat his rival, bear 910, who garnered 98,253 votes in the final round. The event, organized by Katmai National Park in Alaska, celebrates the bears' remarkable weight gain as they prepare for hibernation.
The National Park Service described the competition as a "battle of size, skill, snack acquisition, and strategic loafing," highlighting the bears' impressive abilities to forage and gain weight before the winter months. Backpack's win marks a significant moment in the competition's thirteenth year, which has seen an increasing number of participants and voter engagement.
Backpack, affectionately named for his unique habit of climbing onto his mother Holly's back as a cub, has become a favorite among supporters. His physical attributes have drawn attention, with one admirer noting he possesses both the "chonk and the badonk." Interestingly, Holly, Backpack's mother, was the winner of Fat Bear Week in 2019, showcasing a family legacy of success in this popular event.
As the competition unfolded, Backpack faced stiff competition from bear 910, a female bear who has raised both her biological cub and an adopted niece. Supporters of 910 argued passionately for her candidacy, with some claiming she was the "larger bear all around" and deserving of the title due to her hard work throughout the year. Comments on the park's Facebook page reflected this sentiment, with fans expressing their admiration for 910's impressive physique.
The bears' weights have not yet been disclosed for this year's competition, but adult male brown bears typically average around 408 kilograms in mid-summer and can gain up to 25% of their body weight by autumn. The largest males can exceed 540 kilograms, while females can weigh over 300 kilograms. Cubs, on the other hand, are born weighing approximately half a kilogram.
As winter approaches, bears like Backpack will enter a state of hibernation that can last up to six months. During this period, they do not eat or drink and can lose about one-third of their body weight. Therefore, accumulating sufficient fat reserves before entering their dens is crucial for their survival.
Fat Bear Week has garnered significant attention in recent years, with over 1.7 million votes cast from more than 100 countries in the previous year's competition. This year's event continues to build on that momentum, celebrating the remarkable adaptations and behaviors of these iconic Alaskan bears.
As Backpack prepares for hibernation, he leaves behind a legacy of competition and community engagement, reminding us of the beauty and resilience of wildlife in Alaska. The National Park Service expressed gratitude to all 16 bears that participated in this year's competition, emphasizing the importance of conservation and awareness of these magnificent creatures.