• 32 Chunk wins Fat Bear Week 2025, overcoming a broken jaw.
• Chunk received 96,350 votes, defeating 856 by over 30,000 votes.
• The competition showcases bears as they prepare for winter hibernation.
• More than 1.5 million votes were cast this year in the annual contest.

In a remarkable triumph, 32 Chunk, a brown bear weighing over 500 kg (approximately 1,200 lbs), has emerged as the winner of Fat Bear Week 2025 at Katmai National Park in Alaska. This year marked his victory after previously being a runner-up for two consecutive years. Park officials revealed that Chunk garnered a total of 96,350 votes, significantly outpacing the runner-up, another prominent bear known as 856, by more than 30,000 votes. The competition celebrates the bears that exemplify "fatness and success" as they bulk up for their winter hibernation, according to CBS News, BBC, and India Times.

Chunk's victory is particularly noteworthy as he managed to win despite suffering from a broken jaw, an injury incurred during a fight with another male bear, likely related to breeding disputes. His resilience has been widely praised, with park ranger Naomi Boak stating, "He reminded us how resilient bears are and how they have the ability to recover from injury and hardship." This adaptability is evidenced by his ability to learn to fish with his injury, which further earned him admiration from voters across different countries, according to BBC and India Times.

This year's Fat Bear Week attracted a record-breaking number of participants, amassing over 1.5 million votes. The contest's popularity has grown since its inception in 2014 when it began as a one-day event with only 1,700 votes. Mike Fitz, a former ranger and creator of this competition, highlighted that "No matter who wins fat bear week, each bear was fully committed to the effort," demonstrating the global appeal of celebrating these majestic creatures, according to CBS News, India Times, and BBC.