Fat Bear Week has officially begun in Katmai National Park, Alaska

Oct. 2 (UPI) — Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska kicked off its annual Fat Bear Week, where 12 portly bears competed to pack on the pounds and win the public's favor.

The park announced its voting list on Tuesday evening and voting on the official Fat Bear Week website was open to the public at noon on Wednesday.

This year's group includes 2023 Fat Bear Week winner Grazer, as well as other returning favorites including Chunk, Walker, 747, 164 and 901. Rounding out the group are several pot-bellied brown bear newcomers.

“Fat Bear Week is a celebration of success and survival,” says the official Fat Bear Week website. “It’s a way to celebrate the resilience, adaptability and strength of Katmai brown bears.”

The public can vote daily for their favorite Gaze Bear to move forward in the rankings. The overall winner will be determined in the final round of voting on Tuesday.