Fat Bear Week Begins with Family Groups and Sow Power

A composite of images of each bear competing today as part of Fat Bear Week 2026 (Images courtesy of the National Park Service)
Welcome to Fat Bear Week, Day 1! 
Today we have a total of four matches—eight bears!—to weigh. New this year is the introduction of family groups. Female bears who are well-fed going into hibernation are more likely to have the nutrients needed to birth and care for cubs in the den. The adorable outcome of last year’s record-breaking salmon run is