In brief
In an inspiring event, Chunk, a 500kg brown bear from Alaska's Katmai National Park, has emerged as the champion of Fat Bear Week 2025 despite suffering a broken jaw. Voters from over 100 countries celebrated his persistence as he adapted to his injury while foraging for salmon. Chunk's story has resonated with many, turning him into a symbol of resilience.
A brown bear weighing over 500kg (78st 8lb) has overcome a broken jaw to become the winner of Fat Bear Week 2025. Chunk received the most votes in a competition between 12 brown bears where voters pick the one they believe 'best exemplifies fatness and success' as they prepare for winter hibernation.Park rangers at Alaska's Katmai National Park, home to some of the largest brown bears in the world, praised Chunk's resilience in learning how to fish with his injury. 'He reminded us how resilient bears are and how they have the ability to recover from injury and hardship,' ranger Naomi Boak said.Voters from more than 100 countries followed the action at Katmai's Brooks River through live web streams, where bears can be seen scooping up salmon and eying up their competition. One voter, Amy Hall, called Chunk an 'inspiration' on an explore.org livestream, a nature network which produces the contest in partnership with the National Park Service and the Katmai Conservancy. According to Chunk's profile on the Fat Bear Week website, he broke his jaw in June and observers suspect the injury was the result of a fight with another bear due to the timing of it, in mating season. Chunk beat one of the biggest bears at the river, known as 856, by more than 30,000 votes, marking a significant achievement in the contest, which has gained global popularity since its inception.
