In a remarkable display of resilience, a 500kg brown bear named Chunk has emerged victorious in Fat Bear Week 2025, overcoming a broken jaw to claim the title. The annual competition, held at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, invites voters from around the world to select the bear that best embodies ‘fatness and success’ as they prepare for winter hibernation. Chunk’s triumph was celebrated by park rangers and fans alike, who were inspired by his ability to adapt and thrive despite his injury. Park ranger Naomi Boak remarked, ‘He reminded us how resilient bears are and how they have the ability to recover from injury and hardship.’ Chunk’s journey to victory was closely followed by voters from over 100 countries, who watched live web streams of the bears at Katmai’s Brooks River. One voter, Amy Hall, shared her admiration for Chunk on an explore.org livestream, calling him an ‘inspiration’ for his ability to heal and adapt. Chunk’s profile on the Fat Bear Week website revealed that he sustained the injury during mating season, likely from a fight with another bear. Despite this setback, he managed to outpace his rival, a massive bear known as 856, by over 30,000 votes. The competition, which began as a small event in 2014, has since grown into a global phenomenon, drawing attention to the lives and challenges of these majestic creatures.