Otis, the four-time Fat Bear Week champion, fishes at Katmai National Park on Sept. 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)

Otis, the four-time Fat Bear Week champion, fishes at Katmai National Park on Sept. 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)

Katmai announces its hefty champion

O, tis a hefty bear.

KENAI — After putting his new winter body on display for the world at Katmai National Park and Preserve the past week, one of the park’s pudgiest Fat Bear Week contenders — Otis, bear 480 — was crowned this year’s winner on Tuesday.

The park service tweeted the announcement at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

“The people have spoken! The portly patriarch of paunch preserved to pulverize the Baron of Beardonkadon in the final match of #FatBearWeek 2021,” the tweet said. “480 Otis can now boast a bevy of bests with this fourth first place finish. As we celebrate, like a true champ, 480 is still chowing down.”

According to the park service, Otis was between 4 and 6 years old when he was first discovered at Katmai in 2001, making him one of the oldest bears of the bunch.

The chunky bear has two missing canine teeth and a floppy right ear, but the patience he exhibits while fishing — not wasting his energy chasing salmon like many of his counterparts — has proved successful in his journey to Fat Bear stardom, the park service said. Otis took home the gold in 2014, 2016 and 2017 before winning Tuesday evening.

In an earlier interview with the Clarion, Lian Law, the visual information specialist at the park, said Fat Bear Week is really a celebration of success for these animals and the ecosystem in which they live.

She noted that in particular, the Katmai habitat has one of the healthiest sockeye runs in the world.

USA Today reported that voter turnout broke even last year’s record of over 650,000 — this year more than 793,000 votes were cast.

And as for all the rest of the estimated 2,200 bears who live in the park, there’s always next year.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Tree reflections and icy patterns on an East Glacier Trail pond Nov. 29. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots… Continue reading

Snow falls on the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Funding gap looms for Alaska’s domestic violence programs, but need for services is as high as ever

A major source of funding for Alaska’s domestic violence response has decreased… Continue reading

Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Survey: Residents increasingly negative about cruise tourism, but positive opinions still prevail

48% of respondents say overall impacts positive, 22% negative after record-high passenger season.

A Hawaiian Airlines plane taxis for position at Kahalui, Hawaii, on the island of Maui, March 24, 2005. Alaska Air Group said Sunday that it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1 billion deal. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni, File)
Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines said Sunday it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines… Continue reading

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Public suggestions for spending cruise ship passenger fees being accepted starting Monday

More than $21.6M available after record season, but proposals limited to cruise-related projects.

Most Read