A Catholic deacon mauled to death by a grizzly bear fell almost 100 feet as the animal continued to attack him, according to the findings into the rare attack.
Anthony Pollio, 33, was hiking in Montana’s Glacier National Park on May 3 when he “surprised an adult male grizzly bear on the Mt. Brown Lookout trail,” according to an interagency report on the first deadly bear attack at the park in nearly 30 years.
“Darkness and deadfall on the trail would have prevented the bear and Mr. Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close,” the report stated, saying the protective grizzly launched an “intense” attack.
Pollio, of Davie, Florida, “fully discharged” his bear spray — but plunged 93 feet downslope “probably while the bear continued its attack,” the July 20 report stated.
Pollio managed to climb 18 feet back up the slope as the bear briefly halted its attack — before it “reengaged and killed Mr. Pollio,” the report stated.
“The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged.”
“Mr. Pollio appears to have been the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear.”
The killer bear “appears to be a lifelong resident of the park” with no history of attacking humans, the report stated.
Investigators reminded visitors to follow basic bear safety protocols, including staying alert, avoiding traveling alone and refraining from making noise such as “talking, singing or clapping” that could scare bears.
Hikers should also always carry bear spray and “avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk when bears are most active,” the authors added.
The body of Pollio, an avid outdoorsman, was discovered on May 6, about two-and-a-half miles up the Mt. Brown Trail in a densely wooded area.
His family said at the time they believed he was hiking to a fire lookout tower to catch the sunset when he was attacked.
Pollio’s grieving father, Arthur, said his “fearless” son left him a voicemail as he set off on his fateful hike.
He recounted how Anthony sounded out of breath while he recounted his day, ending with the words, “Love you,” Arthur told the Sun Sentinel.
Arthur said his son was an experienced hunter and added that when he wasn’t hiking, the “motorhead” could be found cruising around Florida or preaching at his local Catholic Church.
Before his final trip to Montana, Pollio had hiked through the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Starved Rock State Park, and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
“His life experiences in 33 years — some people don’t get to do ’til they’re 90 or their whole life,” Arthur said.
A lifelong Floridian, Pollio graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in hospitality.
His death marks the first bear attack in Glacier National Park since August 2025, and the first fatal one since 1998.
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