Every year before winter in Katmai National Park in the USA, the largest furry animals on the Internet are chosen. More than a million votes ensured a changing of the guard. After “Jumbo Jet” dominated last year, “Grazer” (in German: “gluttonous girl”) has eaten the largest accumulation of fat before the cold season this year.
The brown bear “Grazer” (with code number 128) won in the battle for the fattest furry animal in Katmai National Park against the impressive male 32 “Chunk” (“Klotz” in German). The “greedy girl” surpassed the “guy man”, the park administration in the northernmost US state wrote on Instagram on Tuesday evening (local time).
“Long live the queen!”
“Long live the queen!” She received significantly more votes (over 108,000) than her rival with approximately 23,000 votes. Twelve brown bears competed for the strange title in the national park for a week. After six rounds of voting, only these two competitors faced each other in the final on Tuesday.
Before and after photos to choose from
Nearly 1.4 million votes were received from around the world – a record number, the rangers said. Online, bear fans could use webcams to watch the candidates catch salmon, view before and after photos and vote for their favorites. In the spring the bears are still thin, but they have to build up fat reserves until the fall to survive the months of hibernation without food. They can lose a third of their body weight.
Very successful salmon meter
“Grazer” was especially successful at eating salmon. Rangers praised her as an experienced fisherman. Her body size was estimated at over 320 kilograms. It is said that “Chunk” weighs about 550 pounds with his huge backside. But it’s not just the estimated final weight that makes the difference; Other factors, such as eating behavior and temperament, also weigh heavily. Bear fans commented on their favorites. “Chunk’s stomach hangs lower than his knees,” one user joked. “I love you Grazer and all the bears who weren’t fat enough to win,” another fan wrote on the park’s website.
Last year the mighty bear 747, nicknamed ‘Jumbo Jet’, had the most fans. But this time he was kicked out during “Fat Bear” week, and young bear 806 “Spring Cub” nicknamed “Chubby Prince”, old Otis and lecherous “Holly” were also left out.
Competition must point out dangers
Katmai Park organized “Fat Bear Week” for the ninth time. The competition is intended to provide information about the ecosystem and habitat of more than 2,000 brown bears in the region and to highlight the dangers to the animals. The Brooks River falls are a high-calorie buffet where the hairy giants catch salmon from June to October. Rangers say it would be a catastrophe if salmon schools were to decline due to climate change.
No prize for the winner
According to the park rangers, ‘Chunk’ and ‘Grazer’ go into winter with good fat reserves. Female “Grazer” had no offspring this year and was therefore able to use all her energy to feed herself. From the rangers’ perspective, 18-year-old Chunk, with a distinctive scar on his snout, is one of the most dominant bears in the area. There is no winning prize like a portion of salmon. A good winter rest is the reward.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
