Bear Attack Confirmed as Cause of Florida Man’s Death in Glacier National Park

A recent report confirms the cause of death for Anthony Pollio, a Florida resident and avid hiker, who was reported missing after a trek in Glacier National Park. Pollio, 33, was identified as a victim of a bear attack in May, according to an investigation by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).

Pollio, from Davie, Florida, never returned from his hike in early May. The IGBC investigation verified what rangers initially suspected – a bear was responsible for his tragic end. Notably, Pollio’s death marks the first bear-related fatality in Glacier National Park since 1998.

The IGBC report, initially published by the Billings Gazette and SFGate, outlines the final moments of Pollio’s ill-fated hike, including an encounter with an adult male grizzly. This unfortunate event occurred just weeks before another bear attack involving a California man on a nearby trail. Fortunately, the latter incident was non-fatal.

Pollio’s journey commenced with a road trip, leading him to Glacier National Park on May 3. He set out to hike Mt. Brown Lookout at approximately 6:30 p.m. That evening, Pollio communicated with his girlfriend, informing her of his progress. Unfortunately, this was his last message before the attack.

The next day, when Pollio failed to return, park officials initiated a multi-day search. Three days later, on May 6, rescuers found his body about 70 feet below the Mt. Brown trail, approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead. The IGBC report noted significant trauma to his head and face, bite marks on his torso and thighs, and an encounter with a grizzly.

The report suggests Pollio likely surprised the grizzly during a low-light setting, resulting in a defensive attack. He managed to use his bear spray before the bear continued its attack, leading to his death. The IGBC identified the bear as a 15-year-old that hadn’t previously shown aggression towards humans.

Following the incident, authorities advised hikers to stay aware of bear activity, with several trails in Glacier National Park known for bear presence. Around the time of Pollio’s passing, two hikers in Yellowstone National Park also experienced a bear encounter, increasing awareness of wildlife dangers.

While more than 200 deaths were reported in national parks last year, most did not involve wildlife.