Anthony Pollio, 33, of Davie, Florida, disappeared after leaving Mount Brown Trail With plans to watch the sunset from the historic Mount Brown Lookout. Search teams found her remains below the trail three days later, marking Glacier National Park’s first fatal bear attack since 1998.
according to Board of Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee According to the review, Polio started the trek around 6:30 pm and kept in touch with friends and family throughout his climb. His last known communication occurred at 8:20 pm when he texted his girlfriend that he had climbed more than 2,000 feet and still had about 2,400 feet left before reaching the lookout.
Investigators believe that Polio reached or near the peak before beginning to descend after sunset. Based on cellphone records and evidence collected at the scene, authorities estimate that the attack occurred between 9:15 and 10 p.m.
Report Paints a grim picture of the encounter.
Investigators found an empty can of bear spray near claw marks on a burned tree and other signs of struggle, indicating that Polio had released the spray during the initial attack. During the encounter he fell approximately 93 feet from a steep hill. Evidence collected at the scene showed that the attack continued even after he fell down the slope.
However, the ordeal was not over. Investigators determined that Polio survived the fall and managed to climb back up approximately 18 feet. At some point, the attack resumed, and authorities concluded that he suffered fatal crushing injuries to his head during that final encounter. The bear left the area before search teams found Polio’s remains three days later.
Although investigators concluded that the encounter probably began after the hiker and the bear approached each other, no one witnessed the attack. The bear was never identified, making it impossible to definitively determine the exact sequence of events.
Additionally, DNA recovered from hair at the scene indicated that the animal was an adult grizzly at least 15 years old that had spent its life in and around Glacier National Park. Officials said the bear has no known history of conflict with people.
Regardless of how the encounter began, Polio’s death is a sobering reminder that grizzly bears are one of North America’s most formidable predators. While fatal attacks are uncommon, they can occur with surprising speed, even when a hiker is carrying bear spray.
Additionally, this tragedy has reignited discussion about the increasing number of encounters between people and grizzly bears in parts of the Northern Rockies. As grizzly populations have recovered under decades of federal protection, hunters, fishermen, ranchers, and rural residents have expressed concerns about more frequent interactions with the animals. Meanwhile, wildlife officials continue to tout the population recovery as one of North America’s major conservation successes.
The investigation also found that the Mount Brown Trail had numerous downed trees due to winter storms, reducing visibility on parts of the route. Polio was also descending after sunset, when low light conditions can make it more difficult for both hikers and wildlife to detect each other.
Ten fatal bear attacks have been recorded in Glacier National Park since 1967, with the last fatality occurring in 1998. Park officials continue to remind visitors that the park is active grizzly habitat and that anyone hiking its trails should remain alert, carry bear spray, limit noise while traveling, and take extra precautions in low light conditions.
