Final report on grizzly bear attack on Mount Brown Lookout trail released

Back on May 3rd, Anthony Pollio, a 33-year-old Florida man, died while hiking the Mount Brown Lookout trail in Glacier National Park. An Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Board of Review has recently released their report, in which they concluded:

Mr. Pollio, while hiking alone, surprised an adult male grizzly bear on the Mt. Brown Lookout trail. He was most likely descending the trail in darkness. Darkness and deadfall on the trail would have prevented the bear and Mr. Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close. During the initial assault, Mr. Pollio managed to discharge his bear spray, but it is unknown if and where the spray contacted the bear. Mr. Pollio tumbled down slope, probably while the bear continued its attack, for 93 ft. We surmise that the bear broke off the attack at that time allowing Mr. Pollio to climb upslope approximately 18 ft at which point the bear re-engaged and killed Mr. Pollio with crushing bites to the head. The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged. There was no consumption or caching of the victim by the bear. There was no evidence that Mr. Pollio was fighting back. After the attack, the bear left the area. Mr. Pollio appears to have been the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear.

You can read the full report here.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking