It's going to be a real battle for the fattest bear at Katmai National Park and Preserve/Rebecca Latson

No capes are needed for these furry superheroes. They may not be faster than a speeding bullet, but despite the weight they are carrying, these burly beasts can still run faster than most humans. These brown bears’ power of packing on the pounds gets them through the winter and able to live to compete another year. With or without the lasso of truth around us, our story remains the same: fat bears = healthy bears.

While the plumpest of the plump work to gain even more, Katmai National Park and Preserve’s bears of Brooks River will compete in head-to-head matchups in Fat Bear Week’s single elimination tournament. Your votes decide who will wear the mantle of 2020’s Fattest Bear. The park staff is moving this voting from Katmai National Park’s Facebook page to explore.org/fat-bear-week hosted by explore.org. Experience the excitement of survival of the fattest when Fat Bear Week 2020 begins Wednesday! Matchups will be open for voting from 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Eastern (8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Alaska).

Does Bear 747 have a chance to get his first championship by dethroning last year’s reigning champion, 435 Holly? Will a new bear come from the outside and topple the competition for the ultimate win? Can multi-time champ 480 Otis reclaim his spot on top for one more year? While we can’t foresee the future champion, we do know the paunchy bear will only achieve their win with all of you casting your votes.

Here's your bracket for Fat Bear Week 2020/NPS

This competition is brought to you through the partnership of Katmai National Park and Preserve, explore.org and the Katmai Conservancy. If you want to check out the live bear cams, you can find them here.

Ready to check out the competition for this year’s crown? Here is the 2020 Fat Bear Week Bracket for you to fill out! Then remember to come back to explore.org/fat-bear-week daily from Wednesday, September 30, through Championship Tuesday, October 6th. Remember, with great Fat Bears comes a great responsibility to vote!