For the first time ever, Fat Bear Week is showcasing hefty mother bears and their adorable cubs. The annual contest, organized by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, highlights the park’s robust brown bears that feast on salmon from the Brooks River to bulk up before winter hibernation.

Alaska naturalist Mike Fitz mentioned the increased presence of bear families at the river this year. As a result, five mother bears and their cubs are featured in Fat Bear Week to showcase the effort and dedication of the mothers in raising healthy cubs.

Started in 2014, Fat Bear Week has gained immense popularity, leading to similar events like Fat Marmot Week in Colorado. Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast, and this year’s turnout is expected to surpass that number, with 16 bears competing in a bracket-style tournament.

One of the most renowned contenders is Chunk, also known as Bear 32, who emerged victorious in the previous year’s competition, reaching a remarkable weight of 1,200 pounds despite nursing a broken jaw. However, newcomers like Bear 151, aka Walker, are also catching the audience’s attention this year.

Apart from the male bears, the focus this year is on mother bears, as their fat reserves are crucial for surviving the harsh winter, especially for nurturing their cubs. The success of female bears in producing healthy cubs is highlighted by the return of numerous cubs to Brooks River this year.

The bracket this year features five mother bears and their offspring, including Bear 132 with three cubs, Bear 284 (Electra), Bear 610, Bear 806 with her blended family, and Bear 901 with her sizable cub. These mother bears symbolize resilience and dedication in the wild.

Fitz credits the thriving salmon population in Bristol Bay for the success of Katmai bears, emphasizing the importance of protecting salmon habitats for the ecosystem’s balance. Despite the abundant salmon in Bristol Bay, other Alaskan salmon populations are struggling due to climate change impacts on ocean food webs.

Fat Bear Week serves as a platform to appreciate the benefits of healthy salmon runs on ecosystems. Enthusiasts can participate by voting online throughout the week, with the winner set to be announced on September 29.