Alaska's annual online tournament Fat Bear Week has begun, with people choosing the most well-fed predator before winter hibernation, according to infohub.kz.
The popular contest is traditionally held by Katmai National Park. Anyone can view photos and videos of brown bears taken on the local river in summer and fall to assess how much the animals have changed after actively catching salmon. The winner is determined by open online voting using a single-elimination bracket.
This year, the largest and most famous inhabitants of the reserve are competing for the title. Gaining weight before the cold is a matter of survival for the bears, so plumpness here is considered the main sign of health and successful preparation for winter. Before hibernation, some males manage to gain impressive mass and weigh more than half a ton.
The event annually attracts hundreds of thousands of wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. Internet users not only cast votes for their favorites but also enjoy watching the life of the reserve through real-time webcams. The organizers will announce the voting results and the name of the new champion at the end of the tournament.