Fat Bear Championship: Why Do Bears Hibernate?

October 12th is the office date that the winner of the ‘Fat Bear’ contest is announced! What started as a small contest for fun has turned into a viral sensation, with thousands of people voting virtually on who should hold the title. While ‘fat’ often has negative connotations, we know that fat can be key for survival. These bears must rapidly gain weight so they have enough fat (stored energy) to last through their hibernation period.

One of the fan favourite bears is Otis (who held the Fat Bear title for 4+ years)! Check out the video below to learn more about 480 (Otis) and the challenges he faces as a bear. You can also click: Fat Bear Week to learn more about how we can support these animals!