Gruesome New Details Revealed About Montana Hiker’s ‘Intense’ Final Moments During Fatal Grizzly Bear Attack

A July 20 report states “darkness and deadfall … prevented the bear and [Anthony] Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close”

NEED TO KNOW

• A July 20 report details the final moments of Anthony Pollio, the Florida man who was killed by a grizzly bear in Montana’s Glacier National Park on May 3
• Investigators said Pollio deployed bear spray during the initial attack and that the attack likely occurred in two stages
• Wildlife experts concluded the bear was acting defensively after being startled

Fresh details of the final moments of Anthony Pollio, the hiker who was killed by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park in Montana, have been released in a new report.

Pollio, 33, of Davie, Fla., was found dead by search and rescue crews at approximately 12 p.m. on May 6 after going missing during a solo hike on May 3, according to an initial press release from the park. 

A new interagency report authored by a team of wildlife experts was released on July 20, and the report offers new and graphic insights into the incident.

The report states that Pollio, “surprised an adult male grizzly bear on the Mt. Brown Lookout trail,” on which he was walking the evening of May 3.

The report further states that the hiker was able to discharge his bear spray during the “initial assault,” but it is “unknown if and where the spray contacted the bear.”

Pollio then reportedly tumbled 93 feet downslope, “probably while the bear continued its attack.”

The report authors stated that the bear seemingly broke off the attack, allowing time for Pollio to climb about 18 feet back up the slope.

However, the bear then “reengaged and killed Mr. Pollio,” per the report.

“The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged,” the report authors continued. “Mr. Pollio appears to have been the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear.”

The authors noted that “darkness and deadfall on the trail would have prevented the bear and Mr. Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close.”

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The bear identified as being responsible for the attack had no previous history of conflict with humans and “appears to be a life-long resident of the park,” per the report.

Investigators concluded their findings by reminding the public of basic bear safety protocols, including staying alert, traveling in a group and making noise by “talking, singing or clapping” when visibility is limited in order to reduce the risk of startling a bear.

They added that hikers should “avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk when bears are most active,” and they should carry bear spray.

While speaking to Florida’s WPLG Local 10, Pollio’s father, Arthur Pollio, described his son — who was a graduate of the University of Central Florida — as a “fearless” man who loved animals and car racing.

While also speaking to the The Sun Sentinel, he added that his son had visited many national parks in his lifetime.

“His life experiences in 33 years, some people don’t get to do ‘til they’re 90 or their whole life,” the bereaved father said.

He added that his son had left him a voicemail during the hike prior to the attack in which he updated his dad on what he was doing and telling him that he loved him.

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