Chunk the Brown Bear Wins Fat Bear Week Despite Broken Jaw

Chunk, a large brown bear from Alaska's Katmai National Park, has won the 2025 Fat Bear Week contest.

“‘Inspirational’ predator sees off competition despite having jaw broken during mating season Copy link twitter facebook whatsapp email Copy link twitter facebook whatsapp email Copy link twitter facebook whatsapp email Copy link twitter facebook whatsapp email A brown bear weighing more than 500kg (1,100lb) overcame a fight with a fierce rival and a broken jaw to win 2025’sFat Bear Weekcontest”

The Telegraph

This marks his first victory after being a runner-up for several years.

The Telegraph

The annual event, which began in 2014, celebrates the bears' ability to gain weight in preparation for winter hibernation.

Chunk, also known as Bear 32, defeated 11 other bears, including his rival Bear 856, by a significant margin of over 30,000 votes.

This year, the contest attracted viewers from over 100 countries.

Fans watched live streams of the bears fishing for salmon, a crucial activity for their survival during the harsh winter months.

Chunk's victory is particularly remarkable given his physical challenges.

He sustained a broken jaw, likely from a fight during the mating season, which significantly impacted his ability to feed.

FOX Weather

Despite this injury, Chunk adapted by learning to fish with his broken jaw, a feat that impressed park rangers and viewers alike.

His resilience and ability to overcome adversity resonated with the public, earning him 96,350 votes, a substantial lead over his closest competitor, Bear 856.

The use of LIDAR technology to estimate Chunk's weight at around 1,200 pounds highlights the innovative methods employed to ensure the safety of both bears and researchers.

The Fat Bear Week contest is not just a celebration of the bears' physical transformation but also an educational event aimed at raising awareness about the ecological importance of brown bears.

“Chunk, a towering brown bear with a broken jaw, on Tuesday swept the competition in the Fat Bear Week contest — his first win after narrowly finishing second in three previous years”

Taipei Times

The competition allows the public to observe the bears' behaviors and the critical role of fat accumulation for their survival during winter.

This year, the event saw a record participation with over 1.6 million votes cast, highlighting its growing popularity.

The contest also underscores the importance of conservation efforts, as it brings attention to the bears' natural habitat and the challenges they face.

The event's popularity is further enhanced by the live webcam feeds that allow viewers to watch the bears in their natural habitat, engaging in activities like fishing for salmon.

This interactive element not only captivates audiences but also provides valuable insights into the bears' behaviors and the dynamics of their ecosystem.

TODAY

The competition is supported by explore.org in partnership with the National Park Service and the Katmai Conservancy, ensuring a wide reach and engagement.

The live footage has also captured dramatic moments, such as bear conflicts, which add to the event's appeal.