Questions still remain in Glacier National Park bear attack

Glacier National Park had its first human fatality from a bear encounter since 1998 last week and questions still remain in the death.

Park officials say Anthony Pollio, 33, from Davie, Florida was hiking the Mount Brown Lookout Trail on Sunday, May 3 when he was attacked.

When Pollio failed to return from the hike, a search was commenced on Monday afternoon. About noon on Wednesday, May 6, Pollio’s body was found about 2.5 miles from the trailhead and about 50 feet off the trail.

Officials said Monday they were still trying to determine the species of bear involved in the attack.

But they believe it was a surprised encounter based on the evidence, and his injuries were consistent with a bear encounter.

“A can of bear spray was found on the trail during the search effort. An investigation is ongoing on whether it belonged to the victim and the circumstances surrounding its deployment. That determination has not yet been made,” said park spokeswoman Autumn Sifuentes.

“The section of trail where the incident occurred has been temporarily closed while the investigation continues. Park staff are working to determine next steps based on field assessments and wildlife behavior monitoring,” the Park Service added.

The Mount Brown Lookout Trail is one of the steepest in the entire park, with numerous switchbacks en route to the lookout.

Pollio was an experienced outdoorsman and hunter, his father, Arthur, told the Sun Sentinel, a Florida newspaper.

“He was fearless,” Arthur Pollio said. He described his son as a natural leader in his jobs and among his friends, a kind, intelligent man who loved animals and a “motorhead” who enjoyed racing cars, the story said.

He had made several other trips to national parks as well.

The last bear fatality in Glacier was in 1998 when Craig Dahl was killed by a sow grizzly known as chocolate legs near Appistoki Falls. Chocolate legs was a food-habituated bear, meaning she had received food rewards from people. She was later shot and killed by rangers.

The last local human-bear fatality was outside of Glacier.

Flathead National Forest law enforcement ranger Brad Treat was killed by a grizzly on June 29, 2016 while mountain biking in West Glacier.

Treat accidentally ran into the bear while on his bicycle on a trail system just south of Glacier.

There have been numerous bear bites and other injuries from bears in Glacier over the years.

There was an incident last summer when a woman was hiking near Janet Lake and surprised a bear of unknown species. 

The bear swiped her, injuring her shoulder and her arm.

In that incident, her partner deployed bear spray and the bear ran away. The encounter took about 30 seconds.

The woman was airlifted out of the area, which is in the remote northern end of the park and she was treated for her injuries.

Glacier Park officials implore people to not hike alone and make noise as they walk. Bear bells are not recommended as they make sound all the time and make it difficult to hear bears.

Bears often make a lot of noise while foraging in the woods.

Carry bear spray and make sure all foods are properly secured at all times. Backpacks should never be left unattended and when camping in Glacier. All foods must be secured in a vehicle if in a motor campground or lock boxes that the park provides.

In the wilderness campgrounds, food should not be left in tents and only consumed in the food prep areas. In addition, all foods and other attractants, (like toothpaste, deodorant) should be hung on provided hanging poles or in lock boxes, depending on the campground.

When wilderness camping in Glacier, a permit is required.