Volverine exploring a waterfall. She is an ace fisher, who was one of the biggest bears at Alaska's Anan Creek this season. Image: USDA Forest Service/explore.org

Yes, bears are big. Depending on the time of year and sex, the average black bear ( Ursus americanus ) weighs between 90 to 500 pounds . On average brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) can weigh between 600 to 900 pounds . However, one female black bear named Volverine is a true fat bear queen this year. The U.S. Forest Service team at Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska have awarded her with the 2026 Big & Beautiful Award for her heft.

The rangers say that this mother bear is a “true icon,” who will often pose on a rock for a long time, seemingly allowing the visitors to Anan Wildlife Observatory to take photos. She is regarded as one of the most beautiful bears at Anan, with a chest patch shaped like the letter V. Volverine is also on the bigger end of the black bear spectrum, with a potato-shaped body, and an especially round butt .…