Natalie Kainz is a news associate for NBC News.
A dominant mother bear in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve has been crowned Fat Bear Week's queen of corpulence. Bear 128, nicknamed 'Grazer,' received 108,321 votes in the final bracket of 'Fat Bear Week,' an annual competition that draws hundreds of thousands of internet users to decide who in Katmai is the fattest of the fat. This year, 1.4 million votes were cast from 100 countries, staff at Katmai said.
Fat is essential for female bears: More weight means more cubs, Boak said. But when female bears are not caring for cubs, they can dedicate themselves to self-care and feeding, Boak said. “How great is it that when you’re single, you can just get fat and succeed? Is there anything better?” said Boak. She thinks Grazer succeeded this year because stories about the challenges of mother bears have resonated with people.
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