An Alaskan brown bear with a fish in its mouth.
Fat Bear Week brings people together to vote on the fattest Alaskan brown bear preparing for hibernation each year.
  • Fat Bear Week is a beloved celebration of Alaskan brown bears preparing for hibernation.
  • It is run by park rangers who will be sent home without pay in the event of a government shutdown.
  • Not all hope is lost, though. The competition's founder said the celebration can be rescheduled.

A US government shutdown is seeming more likely by the hour.