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During hibernation, which can last for up to half a year, a bear can lose one third of its body mass, making the weight a bear gains before all the more important.

\"There is no shame in winning this contest as large amounts of body fat in brown bears is indicative of good health and strong chances of survival,\" the park said in a statement.

Boak echoed that notion, saying the contest brings to light \"how hard these guys work to make a living so that they can survive long into hibernation where there is no food available.\"

Bears in Katmai are among the largest in the world, according to the park. Adult males typically weight 600-900 pounds before hibernation, but clock in at well over 1,000 pounds as hibernation begins. Adult females usually weigh about one third less than adult males.

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