Chunk Wins Alaska's Fattest Bear Competition
Chunk the brown bear has won Alaska's annual Fat Bear Week competition despite a broken jaw. The half-ton bear gained massive weight eating salmon to prepare for winter. He claimed victory after receiving the most online votes from wildlife enthusiasts.
A broken jaw did not stop Chunk from winning this year's fattest bear title. He missed his chance last year when he killed a bear cub.
Eleven bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park competed in the latest Fat Bear Week contest. The bear receiving the most online votes wins the championship.
Voters could read contestant backgrounds on the event website. They tracked how each bear gained weight since July. These brown bears consume massive amounts of salmon during summer and early fall to survive winter months.
Organizers do not actually weigh the massive animals because it is dangerous and difficult. They use laser technology to estimate bear weights, according to officials.
Bear 32, also called Chunk, weighs over half a ton. He received the most votes this year and claimed his first victory.
These bears demonstrate nature's preparation for harsh winters. The competition also shows public interest in wildlife conservation efforts.
The voting process creates engagement with animal behavior and ecosystem dynamics. It highlights how Alaska's bears adapt to seasonal changes through strategic feeding.