Glacier National Park officials have released additional details surrounding the fatal grizzly bear attack that killed hiker Anthony Pollio in May, shedding light on the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter on Mt. Brown.
What Happened
Pollio was hiking Mt. Brown alone to watch the sunset when he was killed by an adult male grizzly bear. His last known communication was a message sent to his girlfriend around 8:20 p.m., in which he described having climbed more than 2,000 feet over three miles, with roughly 2,400 feet of elevation still remaining.
When Pollio did not return, he was reported overdue, and a search was launched the following day. Investigators believe the attack occurred as he was descending the mountain in darkness and surprised the bear along the trail.
His body was found several feet below the trail. Fatal injuries were consistent with a bear attack.
Evidence and Investigation
Among the items recovered near the scene were Pollio’s phone, a charging bank, a cable, a closed pocket knife, and a plastic holster for bear spray. The bear spray canister itself was found just off the trail — not deployed at the time of the attack.
Investigators identified the specific bear responsible using a combination of hair samples, scat analysis, and measured bite marks. Despite the identification, the animal was not located in the area following the incident.
Officials noted the bear had no prior conflict history, and there were no signs that it had attempted to feed on Pollio, indicating the encounter was likely a surprise defensive response rather than a predatory one.
Search and Recovery Effort
The search and recovery operation involved multiple agencies across federal, state, and local levels. Ground teams from North Valley Search and Rescue and Flathead County were joined by personnel from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. Aircraft support came from Alert, the Montana National Guard, the Civil Air Patrol, and Minuteman Aviation.
Broader Context
The tragedy underscores the real risks that come with hiking in grizzly bear country, particularly in low-light or nighttime conditions when both bears and hikers may be caught off guard. Glacier National Park spans more than one million acres of prime grizzly habitat in northwestern Montana, and encounters — while statistically rare — carry serious consequences when they turn defensive.
Wildlife officials consistently advise hikers to carry bear spray in an accessible holster, make noise on the trail to avoid surprising wildlife, and avoid hiking alone in dense bear habitat, especially at dusk or after dark. The position of the bear spray holster — empty, and found separately — suggests Pollio may not have been able to access the canister during the sudden encounter.
The bear’s lack of prior conflict history and the absence of predatory behavior are both factors that typically weigh against lethal removal under federal wildlife management guidelines, though the park has not publicly stated whether any action against the animal is planned.
Glacier National Park has remained a focus of broader land management discussions in Montana. The park is also moving to seal what would be Montana’s first oil well within its boundaries after a methane leak was detected — a separate but ongoing story reflecting the complex resource and environmental challenges facing one of the state’s most iconic public lands.
No timeline has been announced for the release of a final official incident report. Park officials have not indicated that trail access in the Mt. Brown area has been permanently altered as a result of the attack.
