September 27 – October 2 is annual Fat Bear Week in Katmai National Park, Alaska.
Each summer, bears work to become as fat as possible to survive hibernation in the long winter. Survival in the winter depends on each bear accumulating ample fat reserves to keep them warm and nourished. Bears spend the summer gluttonously eating salmon and other foods, which are ample in Katmai.
Each year, Katmai National Park lets the public vote on Fat Bear Week – each day you can vote for the chonkiest bear – until there is only one winner of Fat Bear Week!