Open Post: Hosted By The Return Of Fat Bear Week!

When I first found out there was such a thing as Fat Bear Week I immediately started searching the internet for flights so I could be a part of it. I mean, who doesn’t like bears? They’re cute and cuddly and can keep you warm on those long lonely nights when you want to be held tight. However, when I discovered that this celebration involved actual bears and not men I started reconsidering. I don’t mind being mauled by a bear if he’s dressed in leather and talking dirty to me. But if we’re talking about the animal, that’s gonna be a no for me, dawg. Still, in case you didn’t already know, Fat Bear Week is an annual celebration of Goldilocks’ least favorite Airbnb hosts. And it’s primarily an attempt to present them as beautiful creatures of nature during a time of great climate change.

USA Today reports that Fat Bear Week, which is presented by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Reserve, was created to remind people that climate change is a real thing, and it greatly affects the ecosystem of our world. And as depressing as that sounds media consultant for Katmai Sara Wolman revealed that one of the ways Fat Bear Week keeps things fun is by including a bracket that people can follow where they can vote for the fattest bear of all on their website by October 5.

While the contest can be viewed as fat-shaming these bears, weight gain is a necessity for them. With winter around the corner, hibernation means these bears won’t be eating for a while.

“Getting fat is what they’re aiming for all summer,” Wolman said.

Spencer added bears lose about a third of their body weight in hibernation, so putting on the weight is critical to their survival.

Here’s a video of all the contenders:

And as you can see from the bracket above, Otis, Walker, and Cub have made it to the semi-finals with one spot left to be filled. Otis really piled on the chunk and is probably Jillian Michaels’ biggest nightmare. So with that being said, Otis for the win!

Pic: Explore.org