Chunk the Brown Bear Overcomes Injury to Triumph in Fat Bear Week: A Heavyweight Victory!

A brown bear named Chunk, weighing over 500 kg, recently triumphed in Fat Bear Week 2025. Despite a broken jaw, he won the popular vote among 12 bears, showcasing his impressive ability to prepare for winter. This competition invites fans to vote for the bear that best represents “fatness and success” as they gear up for hibernation.

Chunk’s story is one of resilience. Park ranger Naomi Boak noted how he learned to fish adeptly despite his injury, highlighting the strong will of bears to recover from hardship. “He reminds us how resilient bears can be,” she said.

This year’s contest attracted voters from over 100 countries. Many tuned in via live web streams at Katmai’s Brooks River, watching bears catch salmon and compete for food. One viewer, Amy Hall, found inspiration in Chunk’s journey, stating, “Chunk and I have both learned to adapt and heal.”

Chunk suffered his jaw injury in June, likely from a fight during mating season. Adult male bears can weigh around 408 kg in mid-summer and may gain up to 25% of their body weight by autumn. The biggest bears can exceed 540 kg, making Chunk’s win against one of the river’s giants, known as bear 856, even more impressive; he beat him by over 30,000 votes. Mike Fitz from explore.org called them “real-life rivals on the river.”

The idea of Fat Bear Week came from former ranger Mike Fitz. What started as a small, one-day event with just 1,700 votes in 2014 has now turned into a global phenomenon. This year, experts estimate that over a million votes were cast, highlighting how the event has educated and engaged bear lovers around the world.

Chunk’s victory not only celebrates bear conservation but also creates a community of support. Bears, much like people, face challenges and can come back stronger. This event resonates with many who see their struggles mirrored in Chunk’s journey, showing that resilience is universal.

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