"This one’s for the mothers.
128 “Grazer” made Fat Bear Week history Tuesday night by becoming the first competitor to win the tournament while caring for a cub. Her victory over 32 “Chunk” also felt deeply personal for legions of her online fans; earlier this summer, Grazer’s enormous rival attacked the second of her offspring, who later died of the injuries.
Grazer defeated Chunk in the final round last year, and the rematch was a landslide. The reigning queen broke away with a significant lead early on Fat Bear Tuesday, trouncing Chunk by more than 40,000 votes in the annual online tournament that celebrates the bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve on their annual quest to beef up for hibernation.
According to Naomi Boak, a former Katmai media ranger and current communications consultant at Katmai Conservancy, amassing champion-level chub as a single mom is an extraordinary feat for 128 given the calorie-draining work it takes to feed, protect and nurture cubs."
Natalie B. Compton reports for the Washington Post October 8, 2024.
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