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Brown Bear Backpack Declared Winner of Alaska's 2026 Fat Bear Week
Just the facts
Brown bear 89 Backpack won the 2026 Fat Bear Week contest hosted by Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Voters selected Backpack over competing finalist bear 910 in the final bracket of the weeklong online voting tournament. The annual contest showcases the health and resilience of approximately 2,200 brown bears preparing for winter hibernation along the Alaska Peninsula. Fat Bear Week engages public audience participation while promoting wildlife conservation efforts in Katmai's protected ecosystem.
Why this is news
Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska concluded its annual Fat Bear Week competition, declaring brown bear 89 Backpack as the 2026 champion. The online event highlights the pre-hibernation weight gain of resident bears.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.