Brown bear 89 Backpack wins Alaska’s Fat Bear Week vote

A large male brown bear known as 89 Backpack has won this year’s Fat Bear Week online vote in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. Backpack received about 103,000 votes in the final, defeating bear 910, who received about 98,000. The contest celebrates brown bears that build up fat reserves before winter hibernation.

Backpack is about 20 years old and was named after his habit of climbing onto his mother’s back while swimming. His mother, Holly, won the contest in 2019. Organisers said his calm behaviour and ability to find fishing areas alongside larger bears helped define his appeal.

The bear also overcame difficulties earlier in life. According to the supplied report, he suffered a leg injury when young and gained little weight during one summer, raising questions about whether he would survive. The competition grew from live cameras installed in the park in 2012, which allowed people to watch bears fishing for salmon.

Park rangers later turned the public interest into a week-long online contest. The bears bulk up to survive the months when food is scarce during hibernation. Katmai rangers say they can eat more than 30 salmon a day.

This year’s contest used knockout rounds. Bear 910 reached the final, while other entries included 131 Marshmallow and family groups competing with their cubs.