A man from Florida was tragically killed by a bear while visiting Glacier National Park. Anthony Pollio, 33, was reported missing in early May after failing to return from a planned sunset hike. An investigation confirmed that he died in a sudden bear attack.
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) report outlined the circumstances leading up to Pollio’s death. On May 3, Pollio was on a road trip when he entered the park. He began hiking to Mt. Brown Lookout at 6:30 p.m. and texted his girlfriend as he ascended the trail. This would be his last communication.
When Pollio didn’t return, park officials were notified the next day, leading to a coordinated search effort. Pollio’s remains were found on May 6, approximately 70 feet below the trail and 2.5 miles from its starting point. The report noted extensive injuries, including trauma to his head and torso. Bear claw marks and other evidence indicated the bear likely launched its attack from nearby.
Pollio’s encounter with the bear is believed to have occurred suddenly, in low light on a cluttered trail. It’s thought that neither Pollio nor the bear saw each other until they were very close. Pollio used his bear spray, likely during an initial attack, but the bear persisted. He was able to climb partway back to the trail before the bear fatally attacked again.
DNA analysis identified the bear as a long-time resident of the park, with no prior aggressive history towards humans. Although the IGBC report does not mention any management actions taken against the grizzly, it emphasizes the need for hikers to remain vigilant in areas with known bear activity.
This incident marked the first fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park since 1998. National Park officials have been alerting visitors about bear activity, with several trails marked for potential encounters. Despite hundreds of deaths in national parks last year, few involved wildlife.
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