Fat Bear Week postponed due to competitor’s death at the hands of a rival | Breaking News from the US
The commencement of the annual Fat Bear Week competition in the US was postponed this week due to a tragic incident where one potential contestant was killed by a rival.
Both bears were vying for a spot in the 10th anniversary of the tournament, which pits the heaviest bears against each other in an online vote as they prepare for hibernation.
The violent encounter between a male bear known as Bear 469 and a female bear named Bear 402 was captured on a live webcam in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.
The bears after the fight in a river
A naturalist from explore.org, who streams footage from the park, described the male bear’s actions as “predatory” and fueled by a sudden trigger.
“Witnessing this event is challenging. While we celebrate well-fed bears with ample fat, we must acknowledge the harsh reality of their ferocity,” added Mike Fitz.
“The dangers they encounter are real. Their lives are tough, and their deaths can be agonizing.”
A video of the altercation shows the bears battling in the river, with the female bear appearing overpowered and potentially drowning, before the male bear drags her body to shore.
In the aftermath of the incident, the announcement of the Fat Bear Week bracket, revealing the 12 heavyweight bears who qualified, was postponed by a day to Tuesday.
“National parks like Katmai not only preserve the wonders of nature, but also showcase the harsh realities wild animals face,” said park spokesperson Matt Johnson.
“Each bear seen on the webcams is competing against others for survival.”
Meanwhile, the legendary fat bear Otis – Bear 480 – has gone missing, as reported by explore.org’s TikTok feed and various media outlets.
Otis won the inaugural tournament and went on to win three more, making him the most decorated bear in the competition’s history.
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Fans participating in the voting rounds are encouraged to consider not just the size of the bears, but also which one best represents “fatness and success in brown bears.”
The preserve is home to over 2,000 brown bears, with only a select few chosen to compete each year.
The reigning champion Bear 128, known as Grazer, has already secured a spot in the final eight, while fan favorite Chunk – Bear 32 – appears to be the largest contender this year.
Fan favorite Chunk – Bear 32 – appears to be the largest this year. Pic: National Park Service via AP
Chunk, a 20-year-old male, once consumed 42 salmon within 10 hours.
Over 1.3 million votes were cast last year, and voting remains open until October 8 when the champion will be determined.
