A 33-year-old man from Florida has been confirmed dead following a bear attack at Glacier National Park in Montana. The National Park Service (NPS) announced on May 9 that the hiker, identified as Anthony Pollio of Davie, Florida, was killed in what authorities believe to be the first deadly bear encounter at the park since 1998. The incident has renewed focus on wildlife safety protocols for visitors in the northwestern United States.
The Search and Discovery
Pollio was last heard from on May 3 after he communicated his plans to hike toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout. His last known message was sent at approximately 8:20 p.m. local time that evening. Park officials were notified of his disappearance on the afternoon of May 4. Search efforts were concentrated in the Mount Brown and Snyder Lakes areas, as well as adjacent trail corridors, with assistance from aerial resources and local rescue crews.
On May 6, at around 12 p.m. local time, search and rescue crews discovered Pollio's body about 50 feet off the Mount Brown Trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber. Investigators also found some of his personal items approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead. The NPS stated that his injuries were consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter.
Investigation and Park History
While the exact sequence of events remains under investigation, evidence suggests the encounter was a surprise. A section of the trail where the incident occurred remains temporarily closed as authorities conduct field assessments and monitor wildlife behavior. The NPS reminded visitors to stay off closed trails.
Fatal bear encounters are rare at Glacier National Park. The last recorded death occurred on May 17, 1998, when a solo hiker named Craig Dahl was attacked in the Two Medicine Valley. Since the park's establishment, there have been 10 confirmed grizzly bear-related fatalities between 1967 and 1998. The most recent injury occurred in August 2025, when a woman was injured by a brown-colored bear near Lake Janet.
Regional Bear Safety Context
This tragedy coincides with other bear incidents across the United States. In early May, two hikers were injured in a bear attack at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Additionally, two U.S. Army soldiers were injured during a bear encounter at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park reported a spike in aggressive bear encounters in April.
To ensure visitor safety, the National Park Service recommends several precautions. Hikers should stay 100 yards away from bears at all times and carry bear spray, knowing how to use it effectively. Visitors are advised to make noise while hiking, look for signs of bear activity such as fresh tracks or scat, and avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or night. Hiking in groups of three or more people is also strongly encouraged to reduce the risk of surprise encounters.
