Backpack Mauls 910 to Win Alaska's Fat Bear Week Crown

Backpack, a brown bear residing in Katmai National Park, Alaska, has been declared the winner of the 2024 Fat Bear Week competition, defeating a bear known only as 910 in the final round. The annual event, which concluded on Tuesday, is organized by the National Park Service and allows the public to vote online for the bear that has best prepared for winter hibernation.

Fat Bear Week, now in its tenth year, celebrates the resilience and health of the park's brown bear population, which gathers at Brooks River to feast on sockeye salmon each fall. This year's competition saw record participation, with over 1.3 million votes cast from around the world. Backpack, a large male bear estimated to weigh over 1,000 pounds, garnered 58% of the final vote. "Backpack's victory is clear evidence of the abundance of the salmon run and the health of the ecosystem," said a park spokesperson.

The win has sparked increased interest in wildlife conservation and the challenges facing bears in a changing climate. Fans took to social media to congratulate Backpack, while others praised the educational value of the event. Next year's competition is expected to draw even more attention as the park continues to monitor the bears' health and habitat.