Annual 'Fat Bear Week' starts this year with deadly attack

alaska - The popular competition 'Fat Bear Week' has kicked off this year with a stark reminder that nature can be cruel.

This year marks the tenth edition of 'Fat Bear Week'. The initiative began after Mike Fitz, a former park ranger, came face to face with a bear during a trip to Katmai National Park in Alaska in 2007. The encounter left a lasting impression on Fitz, leading him to start 'Fat Bear Week' ten years ago to celebrate the successful preparation of bears for hibernation.

'Fat Bear Week' is an elimination contest where people can vote for their favorite fat bear for a whole week. The most popular bears move on to the next round until one winner remains. Only bears that cross the Brooks River in Katmai National Park both in summer and fall are eligible to participate, with candidates determined based on webcam footage. This year, there are 12 contestants.

However, the tenth edition has had a tumultuous start this year. Around this time of year, viewers eagerly tune in to live video footage of bears feasting on fish they catch in the Brooks River. On Monday, viewers were reminded once again of the cruelty of nature when Bear 469, a large grizzly, attacked and ultimately killed Bear 402, a female bear. The attack was described as unusual by experts, with Bear 402 trying to escape but ultimately perishing.

The organization behind Fat Bear Week had expected Bear 402 to be a potential candidate this year, leading to a delay in announcing the finalists. The announcement took place a day later as they regrouped. Fitz expressed his shock at the incident, highlighting the strength and power of these animals.

On Tuesday, the list of contenders for this year's competition was finally revealed. The voting period for the bears is from October 2 to October 8, with the bear receiving the most votes advancing to the next round. Last year, '128 Grazer', a female bear, emerged as the champion with nearly 1.4 million votes cast from over 100 countries.

As voting for your favorite fat bear continues, the competition remains a testament to the awe-inspiring nature of these magnificent animals and the challenges they face in the wild.