Officials announced his victory Tuesday evening, capping a week that saw the Katmai bears break the internet as fans logged on from around the world to vote. More than 2.3 million votes were cast this year. Backpack edged out the other finalist, Bear 910, by roughly 5,000 votes.
Katmai park ranger Sarah Bruce said Backpack has built a loyal following over the years. Fans have watched him on the park's live cams since they went up in 2012, which made him one of the most recognizable bears in the competition. That history, Bruce said, helped drive his win.
Fat Bear Week celebrates the bears of Katmai as they pack on weight ahead of winter hibernation, and the contest has grown into a global online event. For Backpack, the title marks a milestone more than a decade in the making, tracing back to his days as a cub clinging to his mother's back.