Fat Bear Week: Bucky Dent Dethrones Chunk, Family Drama Intensifies
Fat Bear Week 2025 sees Bucky Dent defeat Chunk, with family dynamics and fierce competition shaping the race to the title.
4 min read
Round one of the 2025 Fat Bear Week competition has concluded with a dramatic upset and a surge of family drama as the reigning champion, #32 Chunk, was dethroned by #164 Bucky Dent. Named after the New York Yankees’ second baseman who launched a game-winning three-run home run in 1978, Bucky Dent now faces #151 Walker in the second round. The competition continues to evolve as organizers have introduced family groups for the first time this year, adding a new layer of complexity to the race for the title.
Bucky Dent’s Rise to the Top
Bucky Dent’s victory over the reigning champion, #32 Chunk, marks a significant shift in the competition. The name Bucky Dent is a nod to the iconic 1978 home run by the same-named player, which helped the New York Yankees secure the AL East title in a one-game tiebreaker against the Boston Red Sox. This historical reference adds a unique flavor to the competition, connecting the bears’ battle with a piece of baseball history.
Bucky Dent’s path to the second round has been anything but easy. As he faces off against #151 Walker, a bear known for his playful and laid-back demeanor, the stakes have never been higher. Walker, who has participated in Fat Bear Week since 2018, has never managed to secure the top prize, despite his consistent presence at Brooks Falls during the salmon migration. His early rivalry with past champions like Grazer and Otis adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming battle.
Family Drama and Infanticide at Brooks River
This year’s Fat Bear Week has taken a more personal turn with the inclusion of family groups, a first for the competition. The expansion of the bracket to include mothers with cubs reflects the record-high number of bear families at Katmai National Park’s Brooks River, where 19 families and 37 cubs were observed in 2026 following an abundant salmon run. This has brought a new level of emotional depth to the competition, as the survival of cubs becomes a central theme.
Bear #132 and her cubs are one of the families facing the challenges of the competition. The mother emerged from hibernation with three spring cubs, her fourth known litter. However, one of her cubs was separated from the group and wandered the Brooks River area unaccompanied. Despite being turned away by other families, the cub eventually found its way back to its mother, a heartening but harrowing tale of survival.
On the other hand, Bear #806, the offspring of #909, faced a tragic fate. The cub was captured, killed, and eaten by #806, marking the first documented case of infanticide by a female adult at Brooks River, according to Popular Science. Park rangers believe this incident highlights the harsh realities of survival in the wild, where the strength of the mother often determines the fate of her young.
Backpack: The Bear with a Story
Among the bears making their way to the second round is Backpack, the bear with the best name in the competition. Named for his habit of riding on his mother’s back through the icy waters of Brooks River, Backpack is the son of Bear #435, Holly, the 2019 Fat Bear Week champion. His journey to the second round has been anything but easy, as he overcame a significant leg injury in 2007 that left him unable to walk properly. Despite the odds, with the support of his mother, he recovered and has since become a consistent resident at Brooks Falls.
Backpack’s story is a testament to the resilience of the bears in the competition, as well as the role of their mothers in their survival. His name, while whimsical, serves as a reminder of the unique adaptations and survival strategies that these bears have developed over the years.
Other Notable Contenders
Several other bears have made it through the first round, each with their own story and challenges. Bear #132 and her cubs, Bear #806 and her cubs, and Backpack all represent the diverse experiences of the bears competing for the title. The competition has become more than just a race for the top prize; it is a reflection of the natural world, where survival, family bonds, and individual resilience play critical roles.
As the competition moves forward, the anticipation builds for the second round. With Bucky Dent facing Walker and Backpack taking on his own challenges, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of the battle for the Fat Bear Week title. The winner will be crowned on Tuesday, September 29, as the bears continue to showcase their strength, determination, and the complex dynamics of their lives at Brooks River.
Source: PJ Media
