As faithful readers know, only one bear can be crowned champion of Fat Bear Week. Though 2024’s tournament hasn’t even started, it already features more drama and intrigue than ever. Bear #469, no doubt intent on claiming the Fat Bear crown, drowned a challenger bear just before things kicked off.

…Bear No. 469, a male, approached, attacked and eventually killed Bear No. 402, a female that was almost as large, in the Brooks River.

That attack delayed the posting of the brackets by a day while park and contest officials regrouped.

There certainly ought to be a rule against that, and it seems there might be. When this year’s bracket finally went up last night, it did not include the murderous Bear #469.