Fat Bear Week finals: Who made the cut?

Original story: Voting is open today to see which of the four semifinalists will go head-to-head on Tuesday to be crowned as the country’s fattest bear.

This year No. 32 Chunk takes on No. 901 while No. 128 Grazer takes on No. 435 Holly.

Missing from the list is past three-time champion No. 480 Otis and last year’s winner 747.

Holly won in 2019, while the others haven’t worn the crown yet.

Past winners of both the junior and adult competitions include:

• 2014 - 480 Otis
• 2015 - 409 Beadnose
• 2016 - 480 Otis
• 2017 - 480 Otis
• 2018 - 409 Beadnose
• 2019 - 435 Holly
• 2020 - 747
• 2021 - Fat Bear Junior: 132′s spring cub. Fat Bear Week 2021: 480 Otis
• 2022 - Fat Bear Junior: 909′s yearling. Fat Bear Week 2022: 747
• 2023 - Fat Bear Junior: 806′s spring cub. Fat Bear Week 2023: TBD

Fat Bear Week is an annual celebration where bears are voted upon not only for the fun of naming a champion, but also to shine a light on the Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

It also highlights how bears prepare for their months-long hibernation, packing on pounds before they crawl into their cozy spots for a long nap.

[ Fat Bear Week voting opens; which bear will win? ]

Bears have to eat about a year’s worth of food in six months, since while they’re sleeping over the next few months they will be using up their fat reserves. The animals end up losing about a third of their body weight while hibernating.

The national park has a a plethora of salmon from late June to September and bears flock there to catch the fish and feast.