Backpack, the bear who rode his mother's back, is Fat Bear Week champion
Backpack, also known as Bear 89, is the 2026 Fat Bear Week champion. More than 2.3 million votes came in from around the world, and the result was announced Tuesday evening. He beat fellow finalist Bear 910 by roughly 5,000 votes. As a young cub he climbed onto his mother's back while swimming in the Brooks River, and the nickname stuck. She, Holly, won in 2019. Backpack is 20 years old. Katmai park ranger Sarah Bruce estimates he weighs between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds. "People have watched him his whole life," Bruce said.
Fans have watched Backpack on the Katmai live cams since 2012. At 20, many argued this could be his only shot, and they voted that way.
Source: Meet Backpack, Fat Bear Week’s chunky champ (alaskapublic.org).
Written by the HappyGood desk from the primary source linked above and checked against it. Every story links its source. Corrections: [email protected].
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