Annual 'fattest bear' crowned at Alaskan national park

Otis the bear has proven big is beautiful, taking out the annual "fat bear" title at a national park in Alaska.

The 25-year-old's large frame was voted most impressive in an annual online competition, which compares the post-hibernation weight gain of brown bears at the Katmai National Park and Preserve.

With over 51,000 votes, 480 Otis, as the plus-sized patriarch is known to locals, was crowned fattest in the park for the fourth year running.

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Otis was between four and six years old when he was first identified in 2001, and now is one of the older bears at Brooks River.

Otis returned to Brooks River later than usual in 2021, however, he quickly made up for lost time.

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Being a lot older than others, Otis now has to compete with youthful males for a chance to stock up on succulent salmon.

He won't bother outpacing them, instead he is known for utilising his patience and his "mastery of fishing".

He was the inaugural Fat Bear Tuesday champion in 2014 and Fat Bear Week champion in 2016 and 2017.

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Coming in at a second place was 151 Walker, who garnered 44,000 votes.

The competition aims to highlight the importance of protecting natural surroundings as well as providing an insight into the different ways in which bears find success in Katmai's challenging environment.

The region is home to more brown bears than people and also the largest, healthiest runs of sockeye salmon left on earth.