Having survived a week of knockouts in the competition that rewards survival-preparedness, two Katmai National Park brown bears now go head-to-head on the final day of Fat Bear Week. Only one will be crowned fattest of the fat.
The two finalists arenot underdogs (). Beadnose is a single female who won Fat Bear Week over Otis in 2015, and whogot absolutely mammoththis year withno cubs to feed. And while it should be noted that 747 started out the summer less lean than Beadnose, he’s always had a strong showing in the bracketsand a campaigning advantage since he shares an ID number with an airliner.
Voters now face a difficult decision on . “He’s got a big stomach,” one conflicted commenter said of 747. “But Beadnose is fat ALL OVER.”Another argued that itcomes down to the same image savviness that may have given Otis the edge in previous years:“I would like to remind everyone that Beadnose is sitting down, which gives her an optical advantage.” It’s up to the internet to decide. Voting closes at 7 p.m. eastern time.
This year is the first that two-time winner (and adopted son of ϳԹ magazine) Otis won’t be facing off in the final round of voting. The aging championdidn’t even make it past his first round after getting a bye week. Though he’s still a majestic dumplingin our hearts, he’s certainly not as well-filled a dumpling as he used to be, and that’s okay. In these ,the voluptuous bears of Katmai are a blessing, one and all.
Still, we’re keeping a close watch onthe race for Fattest of 2018. We admire 747’s rolly thighs and nearly floor-grazing belly, and maybe it’s time he got the spotlight for once. But Beadnose has already gone viral this week with her awkward facial expression, fluffy coat, and .
Besides, as one commenter aptly put it: “I’m tired of well-qualified females not getting the vote.”