Man found dead after bear encounter in Glacier National Park
Whitefish Pilot | Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 1 day, 1 hour AGO
Map of trail closures after bear in encounter in Glacier National Park, May 7.
The body of a missing hiker was discovered by search and rescue crews at approximately 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, in Glacier National Park.
The victim was located about 2.5 miles up the Mt. Brown Trail approximately 50 feet off the trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber. His injuries are consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter.
Wildlife and law enforcement personnel are currently assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns. The investigation is ongoing.
The National Park Service is officially withholding the identity of the victim until 72 hours after next-of-kin notification.
However, a search was underway in the area for Anthony Pollio, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Pollio was last heard from Sunday evening. His vehicle was located at Lake McDonald Lodge. He had communicated plans to hike toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout, a steep trail with 4,200 feet of elevation gain over roughly 10 miles.
The last known message was sent at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. The park was notified of the individual’s disappearance on Monday afternoon, according to a press release.
The area where the incident occurred has been temporarily closed while the investigation continues. Trail closures include Mt. Brown, Snyder Lake, Gunsight Pass, Snyder Ridge and Lincoln Lake.
Visitors are reminded to stay off closed trails.
Park staff are working to determine next steps based on field assessments and wildlife behavior monitoring. Find up-to-date information on trail closures on the Trail Status Reports page.
The last human fatality caused by a bear occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley. The last time a bear injured a human was in August 2025.
Numerous agencies cooperated in the search and rescue and recovery operations, including Flathead County Search and Rescue, North Valley Search and Rescue, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Minuteman Aviation, Civil Air Patrol, Montana Army National Guard, Flathead County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, U.S. Geological Survey, ALERT, Border Patrol, Malmstrom Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force Rescue and NPS staff.