To some, a competition called 'Fat Bear Week' doesn't sound like it rewards excellence and success, but on closer inspection that's exactly what it does.
The annual event for four-legged residents of Katmai National Park in the US state of Alaska sees twelve carefully selected heavyweights battle it out for public favour.
Since 2014 park rangers at Katmai - a region that is home to more brown bears than people - have run the online competition which the US National Parks Service says celebrates "fat bears and Katmai's healthy ecosystem".
Presenting your Titans of Tub and hulking, hefty heroes! These bears will soon duke it out to see which tanking tummy reigns supreme. Check out their bios and pics at https://t.co/V2bF4olcpu.
— Katmai National Park (@KatmaiNPS) October 4, 2022
Tell us who you think should win (extra points for being punny)! #FatBearWeek pic.twitter.com/ptkXQcLyMW
According to the NPS, "fat equals survival" for bears that will spend the winter months hibernating.
The Katmai National Park website says adult male brown bears typically weigh from 275kg to 400kg by mid-summer, but can reach weights above 450kg by October and November.
The largest and most dominant bears can eat more than 30 fish per day, which explains their titanic weight gain.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite weight-gaining bear, with before and after pictures posted online of the carnivores when they first emerged from hibernation and more recent photos showing their current state after months of eating salmon from the park's rivers.
Contestants are tracked by their numbers, but veteran animals are known by names like the large male Chunk, or 2019 champion Holly.
This year's event promises to be a classic, with defending champion Otis - a four-time winner - returning to take on 747, the 2020 champion.
The winner will be declared on 'Fat Bear Tuesday', on 11 October.
Yes, my friends, it is that time of year: the leaves begin to change colors, the temperature cools and the time-honored tradition of rooting for your favorite chonky bears at @KatmaiNPS begins.
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) October 4, 2022
Voting starts tomorrow for Fat Bear Week: https://t.co/qPn2RIxRfy
Photo by L. Law pic.twitter.com/WBGsvRmkGG
