Grazer won her second Fat Bear Contest by defeating Chunk in a vote cast by fans watching live cameras at explore.org of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. Grazer’s victory was particularly dramatic as Chunk had killed her cub earlier in the summer. The contest featured 12 bears competing based on their winter preparedness, determined by the fat they accumulated from feeding on salmon at Brooks River. Grazer’s cub died after slipping over a waterfall and being killed by Chunk, who is considered one of the most dominant bears on the river. Another bear, Bear 402, was killed by a male bear just before the contest brackets were released.
Grazer, known for her blond ears and strength, emerged victorious in the contest, while Chunk, with his large size and aggressive fishing capabilities, placed second. Adult male brown bears typically weigh 600 to 900 pounds in mid-summer, but can weigh well over 1,000 pounds by the time they hibernate. The annual contest aims to celebrate the resiliency of the 2,200 brown bears in the preserve on the Alaska Peninsula.
Katmai National Park has become a popular tourist destination, with viewing stands allowing visitors to watch the brown bears fish for salmon. The contest drew over 1.3 million votes last year, showcasing the popularity and interest in the lives of these majestic animals in their natural habitat.
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