Everything You Need to Know about Fat Bear Week 2024 – Updated 9/24/24
Plus – a special interview with Mike Fitz, ex-Park Ranger and author of the Bears of Brooks Falls
Fat Bear Week is a celebration of nature’s ultimate survivalists – the brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. This beloved event has captivated wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists around the world. In this guide, we’ll dive into what Fat Bear Week is, why it’s special, the story behind these incredible bears, how to get to Katmai Park, and everything you need to know to make the most of Fat Bear Week 2024.
What is Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual event organized by Katmai National Park and Preserve, along with the Katmai Conservancy. The event highlights the remarkable transformation of brown bears as they fatten up for hibernation. Starting as a March Madness-style bracket competition, Fat Bear Week features photos and videos of bears at Brooks Falls. Fans from around the world vote for their favorite bears, leading up to the crowning of the fattest bear of the year.
Want to meet the fat bears competing for your affection 2024? Check them out here.
When is Fat Bear Week 2024?
Fat Bear Week 2024 will take place from October 2 to October 8 2024.
Mark your calendars for September 30th 2024 at 4pm PT for the bracket reveal!
New matchups will be posted daily, and fans vote for the bear they think has gained the most weight. This fun and educational event showcases the importance of the bears’ fattening process for their survival during the long Alaskan winter.
For more information, visit the official Fat Bear Week page on Explore.org.
Insider Interview with Park Ranger Mike Fitz
Mike Fitz is an ex park ranger and author of the book The Bears of Brooks Falls
What are your favorite fun facts about the Bears of Brooks Falls?
Mike Fitz: On a good fishing day, a large adult male brown bear can eat 20-30 salmon easily. This may seem gluttonous, but bears live in a feast-or-famine world. There’s no guarantee for them that salmon will still be around the next day. Plus, they need to eat a year’s worth of food in about six months because they hibernate in winter. Body fat fuels a bear’s overwinter survival, so eating a lot and eating quickly is an adaptation that helps them survive winter.
Do you have any fun bear stories to share?
Mike Fitz: The record number of salmon that I’ve personally observed a bear eat is held by Otis, who ate 42 whole salmon in about five hours. On that evening, he sat in the far pool of Brooks Falls and waited for salmon to come to him. I was left awed by the capacity of his stomach.
Any advice for people who want to see the bears?
Mike Fitz: Please respect the bears’ space and need to access fishing opportunities. Visitation at Brooks River has more than doubled since 2007 when I was a ranger there. Expect crowds and please be patient with bears and fellow humans. My Brooks River Pledge is a place to start. Our presence influences the behavior and movement of the bears at the river, but we can minimize that influence by watching bears from the designated viewing platforms where bears can learn to work around us most easily.
Are there any common misconceptions about the Bears of Brooks Falls?
Mike Fitz: Brown bears are often described as asocial and intolerant of other bears. At Brooks River, however, we see that some bears seek the company of other bears for frequent play fights or to socialize. Of course, it all depends on a bear’s personality and mood. Some bears do not engage other bears in friendly social encounters, but there are others that seek out the company of specific individual bears that they know well. We see examples of it frequently at Brooks River, especially when the bears are well fed and have some extra energy to spare.
Why Fat Bear Week is Special
Fat Bear Week is more than just a contest; it’s a celebration of the resilience and adaptability of brown bears. These bears undergo a dramatic transformation each year, gaining hundreds of pounds to prepare for hibernation. The event educates the public about the bears’ life cycle and the critical role of healthy ecosystems in supporting wildlife.
Fat Bear Week also emphasizes the importance of conservation. The success of Katmai’s bears depends on the health of the park’s rivers, particularly the salmon runs that provide the bears with the essential calories they need. By engaging a global audience, Fat Bear Week raises awareness about the need to protect these vital habitats.
The Story Behind the Bears at Brooks Falls
Brooks Falls, located within Katmai National Park, is a prime location for observing brown bears. Each summer, these bears congregate at the falls to feast on migrating salmon. The abundance of fish provides the bears with the necessary energy to build up fat reserves for the winter.
The bears of Brooks Falls are some of the most studied and recognized in the world. The National Park Service and various researchers have monitored these bears for decades, providing invaluable insights into their behavior, health, and interactions. The bears’ fishing techniques, social dynamics, and individual stories make Brooks Falls a unique and fascinating place for wildlife observation.
How to Get to Katmai National Park
Reaching Katmai National Park can be an adventure in itself. The park is located on the Alaska Peninsula, accessible only by plane or boat. Here are the steps to get there:
- Fly to Anchorage: Most visitors start their journey by flying into Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
- Fly to King Salmon: From Anchorage, you’ll need to take a regional flight to King Salmon, a small town near Katmai.
- Take a Water Taxi: From King Salmon, you can reach Katmai National Park by water taxi. Katmai Water Taxi offers reliable transportation services to Brooks Camp, where Brooks Falls is located.
Planning your trip in advance is crucial, as flights and accommodations can fill up quickly, especially during Fat Bear Week.
Fat Bear Week and Alaska’s Gold Creek Lodge
As the experts in bear viewing with over a decade of experience, Gold Creek Lodge stands unrivaled in providing unforgettable Fat Bear Week adventures. Our specialized trips to Brooks Falls offer a unique opportunity to witness these majestic creatures up close as they prepare for hibernation. For more information on our bear viewing packages, visit our Brooks Falls Bear Viewing page. Join us for an experience that combines adventure, wildlife, and the breathtaking beauty of Alaska!