More information released in fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park

More details have been released about the death of hiker Anthony Pollio in Glacier National Park after a grizzly bear attack in May. The new report says Pollio, who was planning to hike up Mt. Brown to watch the sunset and then return to find a campsite, sent a final message to his girlfriend at about 8:20 p.m. reporting he had climbed more than 2,000 feet and 3 miles and had 2,400 feet left to gain. The next day, he was reported overdue and a search was launched; teams found a can of bear spray just off the trail and located Pollio’s body shortly afterward several feet below the trail. Investigators determined he was killed by an adult male grizzly bear, and evidence suggests he surprised the animal while going down in the dark. The report notes no signs of predation and no conflict history, while the bear was identified through hair, scat and measured bite marks. Search efforts involved North Valley Search and Rescue, Flathead County, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and aircraft from Alert, National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Minuteman Aviation.