I Knew Bears Hibernated,

what I did not know,   

is that there is a league to see which is the fattest bear as winter approaches, vitally important for the coming hibernation, above the favorite, Bear 747 in the Fat Bear Week contest in Alaska's Katmai National Park, Naomi Boak/Courtesy of NPS Photos,

and this is how things are shaping up, above courtesy of NPS Photos, as the competition began this week, Katmai Conservancy media ranger Naomi Boak had her eye on two of what she calls "favorites." No. 435. ... they assign a number after monitoring the bears for a while ... and No. 747, He is "as big as a jumbo jet," she says, "He was so big he looked like he was ready to hibernate in July. He's the size of two bears." this isn't fat shaming, Boak says. It is fat glorifying as the biggest bear has done the best job getting ready, "They lose a third of their body fat over the winter," Boak says. "So they need all that fat to survive." and the winner is,

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Bear 435, aka "Holly," before and after her prehibernation weigh-in. Holly went on to win the final round in Fat Bear Week 2019, photograph, Katmai National Park & Preserve, so goodnight to all and see you next year!