In this year’s Fat Bear Week competition, 806 Jr, a 70lb (31kg) spring cub, goes up against the top chonks.

More than a million votes were cast last year for the fattest of them all in the popular online event created by former park ranger Mike Fitz.

Salmon swimming upstream are devoured by brown bears of Alaska’s Katmai National Park each year. It’s all about packing on the pounds before winter.

Fans will ultimately decide the winner of Fat Bear Week’s bracket by voting online.

It’s easy to recognize 806 Jr by his short muzzle and close to Disney level cuddliness, but can he match the chub of older dogs?

480, or Otis, is a 27-year-old brown bear weighing approximately 1,200 pounds, while 747, or Colbert, a two-time Fat Bear Week champion, weighs about the same. Fitz, a resident naturalist for explore.org, which streams bears live 24 hours a day, says it’s an uneven playing field.

10 million people watched Katmai livestreams in 2022, including the bears jockeying for position in the best fishing spots.

Mr Fitz says if you’re a guy like 747 (Colbert), you don’t have to worry about bears challenging you.

As for Otis, he is a four-time champion and a “beloved” bear with a good chance of winning.

“I wouldn’t want to rule him out,” Mr Fitz says, despite his age, missing teeth, and inability to compete for salmon spots.