The cream has risen to the top as Alaska’s most beefy bears continue to fight for the Fat Bear Week crown.
While the days-long tournament started on Thursday with 12 contenders, just four remain in the running.
Here’s what you may have missed so far from the popular online poll.
Two-time title holders voted out
In a reflection of just how cutthroat the tournament can be, two multi title holders have been given the flick early.
909 Jr came into the competition hot off the heels of her second Fat Bear Junior win, but the recent glory was no match for a Katmai Park heavyweight.
Having survived to the second round, the corpulent cub was found herself up against 128 Grazer, the current title holder.
That’s just the luck of the draw!
Perhaps a bigger shock to the competition was 747’s early exit.
The giant among bears was pitted against 903 Gully, who this year took on the unique strategy of catching gulls to supplement his diet.
It seems Gully’s avian approach has paid off, with the younger bear netting a win over his experienced foe.
At more than 20 years of age, perhaps 747’s time at the top of the table has passed.
Semifinals could set the stage for 2023 rematch
With just four bodacious bears left in contention, there’s potential for a re-run.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, 32 Chunk lost another tournament last year, this time to 128 Grazer.
With these big-bellied bruins on opposite sides of the tournament brackets this year, there’s a good chance they’ll find themselves having a rematch in the finals.
Here’s who’s left
32 ‘Chunk’
Identification features: Narrowly-set eyes, dark brown fur, a prominent brow ridge, and a distinctive scar across his muzzle.
Competition history: The 2023 runner-up.
What the rangers say: “As a very large, perhaps 1,200-pound-plus bear, Chunk uses his size and confidence to his advantage. No bear on the river challenged Chunk successfully for fishing spots. Bears that were unwary or unlucky found themselves under threat when he was nearby. Even the giants known as 747 and 856 yielded space to him. This gave Chunk unlimited access to his most preferred fishing spots.”
128 ‘Grazer’
Identification features: A long, straight muzzle, conspicuously blonde ears and has grizzled, light brown fur.
Competition history: After winning Fat Bear Week in 2023, Grazer returns to the competition as the current title holder.
What the rangers say: “Grazer’s skills and toughness make her one of Brooks River’s most formidable, successful, and adaptable bears.”
151 ‘Walker’
Identification features: A long, tapering muzzle and widely spaced, upright ears, dark brown fur, and a light bulb or pear-shaped body.
Competition history: No titles.
What the rangers say: “Walker ranks high currently in the hierarchy of bears at Brooks River and shows much less tolerance for other bears compared to his younger self. He establishes and maintains his dominance at Brooks Falls by displacing other bears from preferred fishing spots. In a significant change from previous years, Walker was able to displace long-time rival 856.”
903 ‘Gully’
Identification features: Dark claws with light brown tips, light to dark brown fur, and especially grizzled on his neck and face.
Competition history: Gully is yet to record any wins, but he’s taken a unique strategy this year. While most bears at Brooks River ignore birds, this young gun has been seen capturing gulls to supplement his diet.
What the rangers say: “903 has become a prominent fixture on the lip of Brooks Falls where his still-increasing body size allows him to better withstand challenges for fishing space. 903 uses his adaptability and skill to find success among some challenging competition.”
When does voting open?
Fat Bear Week has taken a brief pause as the US enjoys their weekend.
Voting will resume on Monday, local time for the semi-finals.
That means the bracket will open in the early hours of Tuesday morning for us in Australia.
Here’s when you can vote in your time zone:
- AWST: 12am to 9am
- ACST: 1.30am to 10.30am
- AEST: 2am to 11am
- ACDT: 2.30am to 11.30am
- AEDT: 3am to 12pm
The final round of voting, also known as Fat Bear Tuesday, will open at the same times.
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