Bear 901 (left) and Bear 128 Grazer (right) (Photo: Courtesy NPS Photo/L. Law)
Summer at Katmai National Park in Alaska is coming to a close, and Fat Bear Week is upon us. Since 2014, the has drawn an increasing number of voters and fans鈥1,700 people voted the first year; last year, that number topped 1 million.
The uniqueness of the bears themselves (always numbered, sometimes nicknamed) is the biggest draw. Each bear has its own history, personality, and method of gaining mass, and the voting can get intense. Favorites emerge, fat bears win and lose, and we, the viewers, experience the thrill of competition and the heartbreak that comes with loving these giant, truly wild beasts.
An excellent way to pick your bear for each day of the bracket is to try to figure out which one speaks to you the most鈥攖he real you, if you were a bear lucky enough to live in the salmon-rich waters of Katmai. We鈥檝e made that process easier by building a quiz to help you determine your match.
Who will be the ultimate ursine?
To take our quiz, answer each question and jot down your answers, a through d, as you go. When you鈥檙e done, tally up your score to see which letter you chose the most.
1. When you get to hang out at a body of water, do you鈥
a) Chill on the shore
b) Float with the waves
c) Go for a big swim
d) Play mermaids with your friends
e) Find the roughest water
2. When you鈥檙e faced with a challenge, do you鈥
a) Stand your ground
b) Chill, bro. No need to fight.
c) Back down
d) Avoid facing a challenge entirely
e) N/A: no one is stupid enough to challenge me
3. Do people think of you as鈥
a) Nice, but standoffish
b) The strong and silent type
c) The new kid on the block
d) An outgoing social butterfly
e) The queen bee
4. Have you lost loved ones?
a) Yes, several
b) My past is very mysterious
c) Not many鈥擨鈥檝e been lucky
d) Yes, a few
e) I鈥檝e lived so long it鈥檚 unavoidable
5. What do you think about kids?
a) I love being a parent!
b) Not my scene
c) I鈥檇 like a family one day
d) I鈥檓 too young to think about kids!
e) I love my big family and hope to continue to grow it
6. What鈥檚 your biggest strength?
a) My resiliency
b) My dedication
c) My skills
d) My confidence
e) My reputation
7. What鈥檚 your biggest weakness?
a) My stubbornness
b) My really long naps
c) My lack of support鈥擨鈥檓 alone in the wilderness!
d) My lack of experience
e) My age
You鈥檙e 901! At 9 years old, 901 is a female bear who鈥檚 never been fatter鈥攐r more favored to win Fat Bear Week. She鈥檚 loved and lost (she lost three cubs last year alone), but in a possible comeback, she鈥檚 looking big enough to potentially carry another pregnancy next year. She鈥檚 a total beach bum and isn鈥檛 afraid to let the rangers know she鈥檚 not interested in changing spots when they try to move her. We love a diva at heart.
You鈥檙e 602, aka 鈥淔loatato鈥 (seriously). This big boy showed up to the Brooks River in July and hasn鈥檛 left. He鈥檚 not interested in using his dominating size to fight and would rather float along, eat a big meal, and take a nap. In addition to his massive belly, 602 is known for the 鈥渕ashed potato dance鈥 he does when he gets overstimulated.
You鈥檙e 609! Welcome, young one. After being surrounded by family for her first four years of life, 609 is striking out on her own this year and learning the ins and outs of being miss independent. She鈥檚 currently at the bottom of the bear hierarchy but has shown smarts and skills that give her loads of potential. We think this is just the beginning for 609.
You鈥檙e 128 Jr.! Winner of Fat Bear Junior and nicknamed Baby, 128 Jr. is still hanging out with Mom and benefitting from her immensely. In her second summer, she鈥檚 becoming strong and confident鈥攁nd loves looking for playmates and trying to fish by herself at the lip of the falls.
You鈥檙e 128 Grazer! A queen among bears, 128 Grazer is 20 years old (!) and has raised generations of cubs, teaching them the secrets of fishing salmon at the falls of Brooks River and getting truly fat along the way. She鈥檚 extremely graceful, with flowing blond fur, and her long life and many progeny mean she鈥檚 known to the bears in Katmai.
This quiz features 5 of the 11 bears that are competing this year; learn more about all 11 bears at