A massive brown bear weighing over 500 kilograms (approximately 78 stone) has triumphed in the Fat Bear Week 2025 contest, despite a significant setback — a broken jaw.

Named Chunk, the bear emerged victorious among 12 contenders in a public vote celebrating the bear that best displays size and fitness in preparation for hibernation during the winter months.

Park officials at Katmai National Park in Alaska, known for hosting some of the world’s most robust brown bears, commended Chunk’s tenacity and adaptation as he continued to fish successfully despite his injury.

“He showed how strong and adaptable bears can be, even in the face of serious challenges,” said ranger Naomi Boak.

Fans watched the bears via live streams from the Brooks River in Katmai, observing them catch salmon and interact with one another as they fattened up for their long winter rest. Voters from more than 100 nations took part in the experience.

One voter, Amy Hall, expressed admiration for Chunk during a livestream by explore.org, the nature media group that organizes the event along with the National Park Service and the Katmai Conservancy.

“Chunk and I both had a tough summer. Watching him overcome his struggles helped me through mine. He’s truly inspirational,” she shared.

Chunk’s profile on the competition’s official site states he suffered the jaw injury in June, likely due to a confrontation with another bear during the mating season, considering the timing and the nature of the wound.

Male brown bears typically weigh around 408 kilograms during the summer, gaining up to a quarter of their body mass in the months leading to autumn. The heaviest individuals can exceed 540 kilograms.

Chunk secured the title by defeating another large and dominant bear, known as 856, racking up more than 30,000 extra votes. According to Mike Fitz of explore.org, Chunk and 856 are known rivals at the Brooks River.

Fitz, a former ranger, came up with the idea for the competition. It began as a single-day event in 2014, gathering just 1,700 votes. Since then, it has grown into a global phenomenon, engaging viewers while offering insights into the lives of these remarkable animals.