Fat Bear Week, one of Alaska's most beloved wildlife events, has a new winner, and the 2026 champion has a family connection to an earlier titleholder.
Here's what to know
In a post from the U.S. Department of the Interior (@Interior), the agency announced that Bear 89, also known as Backpack, was the 2026 Fat Bear Week winner and said, "He got it from his mama."
He got it from his mama. Bear 89, aka Backpack, is the 2026 Fat Bear Week champ. Turns out hefty runs in the family. His mom, Holly the Duchess of Density, won in 2019. She carried him on her back as a cub and helped him survive a serious leg injury. Now her little Backpack has a crown of his own. 👑
— U.S. Department of the Interior (@Interior) September 30, 2026
Backpack's mother is Holly, the bear nicknamed the Duchess of Density, and she won Fat Bear Week in 2019. The department also said she carried him on her back when he was a cub and helped him recover from a serious leg injury.
"Well deserved.. He is magnificent," one commenter wrote.
More background
Fat Bear Week is an annual tradition centered on a crucial survival skill. For brown bears, gaining weight ahead of winter is no joke. It's a sign they are feeding successfully and preparing for hibernation.
"The chonk runs in the family!" another commenter wrote.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
What can be done?
Brown bears depend on intact habitat and reliable food sources.
Promoting those things can vary from person to person. Respecting wildlife-viewing rules, supporting national parks and conservation efforts, or learning more about how local habitats are managed are all great things to do. People who want to turn that enthusiasm into something practical can also take local action in their own communities.
Events like Fat Bear Week also show the value of public engagement.
"I've never been so proud of a bear," one person wrote.
Another commenter added: "This is the kind of post I want to see from my government. Stop with the AI slop propaganda and give me more fat bears."
Where can I learn more?
If Fat Bear Week has you paying closer attention to bears, these stories offer a look at how people are living with them elsewhere.
• In Alaska, officials approved a controversial bear-killing program tied to caribou predator control.
• A black bear in Alaska landed a 40-pound king salmon and lumbered off with dinner.
• In Connecticut, an injured bear showed a strong will to persevere after stealing pumpkins.
• Officials in Herndon, Virginia, stepped in after a border-wandering bear caused trouble.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
