Annual “March Napness" Competition Launches Spotlighting Rescued Bears

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 2, 2026 - FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organization, is thrilled to announce the return of its annual March Napness competition, a playful, bracket style tournament honoring the longest sleepers among the organization’s rescued bears. Beginning March 1, 2026, supporters are invited to predict which of the 22 competing “napletes” will remain in hibernation the longest—and who will ultimately claim the title of Sleepiest Bear of 2026.

Inspired by the excitement of the NCAA’s March Madness tournament, March Napness invites participants to fill out their own bracket forecasting what bear will compete the longest (aka the last to wake from their winter rest). It’s a sport that puts self-care first—where napping is winning and rest is celebrated.

Why Celebrate Sleep? For bears, hibernation—scientifically known as torpor—is a crucial part of their natural lifecycle. In the wild, hibernation allows bears to conserve energy, regulate their biological rhythms, and survive the colder months. However, bears kept in inadequate conditions in captivity often cannot practice their natural behaviors like hibernation.

FOUR PAWS is a leader in wild animal rescue and has been working to save the world’s saddest bears from inappropriate keeping conditions for decades. The organization also runs wild animal sanctuaries around the globe. At FOUR PAWS’ six bear sanctuaries across Europe, rescued bears are provided with spacious species-appropriate habitats, expert veterinary care, and the safety and comfort they need to embrace their natural instincts. FOUR PAWS bear caretakers begin to see signs of hibernation preparedness from the bears in autumn. The bears then take their seasonal slumber through the winter months and wake again in the spring.

This year’s competition features 22 charismatic bears each with their own unique rescue story and hibernation style. Every bear was rescued from inappropriate or exploitative conditions, including tourist attractions, roadside zoos, private ownership, and circuses. Today, these bears live lives full of dignity, care, and, perhaps most important, the freedom to rest.

Notable 2026 Stats (that may help you fill out your bracket) include:

• 8 all-star competitors this year. These bears have competed every year since 2023;
• There are 10 males and 12 females competing (Team Belitsa - the sanctuary in Bulgaria - is all female bears);
• Sanctuaries represent 6 countries: Germany, Kosovo, Switzerland, Austria, Ukraine, and Bulgaria;
• Bear Hope, hailing from BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina in Kosovo, a 14-year-old bear, beloved for her unique yoga poses, joins March Napness as Rookie of the Year;
• Bear Tomi (Hope's partner) was co-runner up for last year.

FOUR PAWS has organized bios, previous napping stats and other fun facts on all participating bears, available on the March Napness webpage. To learn about the previous years’ competitions, check the Nap Recap page for all the sleepy action.  

How do you participate? Supporters of all ages are invited to follow along and fill out a bracket. Teachers, classrooms, and groups can access a simplified version to easily choose their champion. Every Wednesday in March, FOUR PAWS will be sharing a rundown of all the action showcasing who woke up and who is still snoozing. Follow along on social channels: @fourpaws.usa. Everyone is welcome to cheer on their favorite napletes throughout the tournament.

March Napness has been featured in publications such as PEOPLE and USA Today, NPR, and CNN, just to name a few. FOUR PAWS will once again be collaborating with artist and viral sensation Billy Murphy, who makes whimsical drawings of bears. "I’m excited to once again share my work for March Napness. This year I’ve looked closer into the personalities of the rescue bears, and I think audiences will both relate to and fall in love with the sleepy cohort. It’s a joy creating these paintings and raising awareness of the wonderful work the sanctuaries and FOUR PAWS are doing," Billy explained.

FOUR PAWS hopes that this celebration of hibernation encourages everyone to learn about bears and the current ways you can support the organization’s efforts to rescue and protect them worldwide.