'March Napness' Makes Sleeping Late a Contest for Hibernating Bears

The bare truth: the object of this competition is to come in last place.

Right now, 11 brown bears living in European sanctuaries are vying for the title of last ursid to wake from hibernation. It’s called “March Napness.” Yes, it's named after the USA basketball tournament. But, in this contest, only 12 of the furry dozers have disqualified themselves. They're ousted by waking up and staying conscious for five straight days. Getting up, going to the bathroom, or grabbing a snack before snoozing again doesn't count as a loss. 

The contest is run by a worldwide animal welfare group. It's called Four Paws. It promotes the safety and well-being of animals in captivity. It also rescues them from inhumane living conditions. The point of its contest?  To raise bear awareness and extol the virtues of rest.

"The sleepiest bear wins," Claire LaFrance, a Four Paws spokesperson, told NPR. "The bear that remains sleeping the longest is crowned king or queen for that year.” 

Fat Bear Week is March Napness's pre-hibernation seasonal counterpoint contest. Yet, for March Napness, the winner gets more than having their name plastered on the web. They get special culinary treats, like the “Bear-y Fruit Tartare.” It was prepared by celebrity vegan chef Priyanka Naik for Dushi. She was the 2024 winner. She woke up at BEAR Sanctuary Müritz sometime around April 18. 

This year’s remaining competitors include Mark, Mascha, and Masha, who’ve made it to the Final 6, and eight other bears from sanctuaries in Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Switzerland, who haven't yawned awake yet.  

"I think they can really help bring back the movement that sleep is self-care,” LaFrance told NPR, “and there's no harm in taking a little nap when you need it."  

Reflect: If you had to design a fun competition based on animal behaviors, what would it be, and how would the animals compete?