Backpack Packs On The Pounds To Win Alaska’s Fat Bear Title

WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Bernama-dpa) -- A brown bear called Backpack was crowned the winner on Tuesday in an annual contest to find the public’s favourite fat bear in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Backpack received 103,344 votes in the Fat Bear Week competition, compared with 98,253 votes for his nearest rival, a female bear known as 910.

Rangers said that, unlike many large adult male bears, Backpack did not show much aggression towards his competitors.

“He’ll stand up for himself when necessary, but he prefers to use a quiet strength to gain access to preferred fishing spots. His body size suggests that the strategy works.”

Backpack’s nickname was inspired by his habit of climbing onto his mother’s back when the pair swam in the river. His mother was the 2019 Fat Bear champion.

This year’s contest marks the 12th time the park in south-western Alaska has held the competition.

Ten females and six males were in the running for the title during a week of fierce competition.

More than 2.5 million votes were cast from around the world.

Fans could watch the candidates catch salmon via webcam and see before-and-after photos showing how much weight the animals had gained.

These fat reserves will help them survive their months-long hibernation through winter without eating.

The contest raises awareness of the ecosystem and habitat of more than 2,000 brown bears in the region and draws attention to the dangers they face, such as climate change, according to the park.

-- BERNAMA-dpa