These Chonky Bears Have Us Ready for Fat Bear Week

Fat Bear Week is officially upon us, and it’s early this year! While Fat Bear fans are getting their brackets ready, we did some internet sleuthing. As it turns out, there are more fat bears outside of Katmai National Park–and they’re just as adorably chonky. Bears might be apex predators, but we can still celebrate when they’re happy, healthy, and chunky. For some of these potential contenders, bigger is definitely better.

What Is Fat Bear Week?

Fat Bear Week is an annual event started by Katmai National Park. It’s a celebration of its thriving bear population and a way to connect fans with the park’s local wildlife population. Each year, the park selects a roster of “fat bears” that are healthy and, well, massive in size. These bears are then voted on for one week, and those with the fewest votes are eliminated from the next round. It’s become even more popular in recent years, especially as the park reveals more personal stories about the bears’ histories.

This year, Fat Bear Week begins on September 23rd and goes until September 30th. While the bears entering the competition have not yet been revealed, fans anxiously await their contenders. Because the bears are wild, their weights are not recorded; fans vote based on how chonky the bears look—and the overall vibes. This means that even the smallest fat bear has a chance at winning, especially if they capture the hearts of voters.

A Happy National Park Newcomer

“Cody” the Grizzly is not a Grant Teton native, but he certainly enjoys the park like one. He was relocated initially from Yellowstone after causing trouble on a cattle ranch. His iconic dark fur is easily identifiable, and many visitors recognize his blue park ear tags. While no official weight has been recorded, he’s up there as a chonky boy, and a handsome one, too.

Holly Bear Chowing Down on Lunch

When you think of fat bears, black bears don’t often make a list due to their smaller size. However, Holly, a black bear living at the North American Bear Center, makes the cut. While no official weight has been recorded via the Center’s website, she is a healthy elderly bear. She was born in 2013 and rescued after being abandoned. She’s now the Center’s oldest female bear, with a knack for snacking.

Fat Bear On His Way to a Mate

Few animals are more determined than a bear on its way to hunt or mate. For this Grand Teton fatty, it’s the latter. This male, recently seen with a fresh stave wound, is likely on his way to find Grizzly #610. He often uses the main road to cross through the park, making him a memorable presence during mating season. Many of the frequently sighted bears in the park have shared histories, and we’re rooting for this chonky bear in his love story.

Grizzly #1063 Getting Those Glamour Shots

Another frequent sighting for visitors and park rangers is Grizzly #1063. She has a sad story, as two of her cubs were tragically killed by a male grizzly. After being forced away from popular visitor areas, she was reunited with her last remaining cub. She’s also the daughter of a famous, well-known grizzly affectionately known as “Blondie.” While no official weight has been recorded, she’s up there with one of Yellowstone’s most recognized fat bears.

The Elusive and Mythical Kermode Bear

The Kermode bear is not a polar bear, nor is it an illusion. This scarce breed is not often seen outside of photos. They’re exceptionally reclusive and live primarily in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. Kermode bears look like a creature of myth, but they’re actually a color morph of the black bear. Also known as the “spirit bear,” this nearly 500-pound animal also makes it into the fat bear club.

Chonky Grizzly Stops For a Backrub

Montana’s grizzlies are no joke, and this one is nearly the same size as the shed it’s using for a scratching post. At five and a half feet tall, this grizzly almost reaches the roofline while sitting down. Most grizzlies can weigh between 290 and 600 pounds, and this one looks to be on the higher end of that scale. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, this bear has actually lost weight since its last sighting!

Grazer Is a Former Heavyweight Champ

Grazer is a fat bear in the true sense of the term. This enormous female dominated the competition in 2023 and 2024, making her the undefeated champion two years in a row. In 2024, she beat out fellow fat bear Champ in a heartwarming victory. That same year, Champ killed one of Grazer’s cubs, making her win that much more iconic. Today, she remains one of the fattest and most beloved bears in Katmai National Park.

Leo Might Be a Senior, But He’s Still Putting on Pounds

Orphaned Wildlife has been rehabilitating animals since 1996. Of all the animals they’ve rescued, Leo is the largest and oldest male bear at the center. The title of the chonkiest was previously held by Jimbo, who has since passed away. Leo is now the reigning fat bear, clocking in at 900 pounds. According to Orphaned Wildlife, he’s around 20 years old and still loves playtime. He’s also their most intelligent bear!

Sonya, Stunning With Her Extra Insulation

When it comes to female Syrian brown bears, 340 pounds is quite the chonker. Sonya is adorable and counts as a fat bear, with the cutest ears to match. She’s 17 years old and the cousin and sister of two other rescued bears at Orphaned Wildlife. When she’s not playing, she’s snacking on all the fresh peaches she can find.

The Boss is the King Fat Bear of Banff

The Boss, also known as bear #122, is truly the fat bear king. He is just as intimidating in person as he is in photos. Weighing in at 700 pounds, this grizzly is known for his invincibility, and he’s been hit by a train twice and survived. He’s been seen in the backyards of Banff residents and is known for his bluff charges. He also has an ongoing rivalry with another local bear named Split Lip. All of this has fed his reputation, making him one of the top fat bears outside Katmai.

But Alberta’s Fat Albert Might Take the Cake

If The Boss were to come face-to-face with Fat Albert, chaos would surely ensue. This Alaska polar bear is one of the biggest in the state, weighing in at an estimated 1,500 pounds. This is more than the average polar bear, making him a historic icon around Kaktovik. His enormous size is partially due to being fed by the locals. Consuming a diet primarily of discarded whale carcasses, Fat Albert is fed a safe distance from the town to deter him, while also encouraging his survival.