A Catholic deacon was killed in a rare grizzly bear attack in Montana's Glacier National Park on May 3, according to an interagency report. Anthony Pollio, 33, encountered an adult male grizzly bear on the Mt. Brown Lookout trail and, in the ensuing defensive attack, fell approximately 93 feet downslope while the bear continued its assault.
The report stated that darkness and deadfall on the trail likely prevented both the bear and Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close. Pollio "fully discharged" his bear spray, but the fall occurred as the bear reengaged after a brief halt in the attack. He managed to climb 18 feet back up the slope before the bear attacked again, resulting in his death.
Investigators described the attack as likely "brief and intense" and suggested Pollio was "the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear." The bear, believed to be a lifelong resident of the park, had no prior history of attacking humans.
Pollio, from Davie, Florida, was discovered on May 6 about two-and-a-half miles up the Mt. Brown Trail. His family had believed he was hiking to a fire lookout tower to watch the sunset when the incident occurred. His father, Arthur Pollio, described his son as "fearless" and an experienced outdoorsman who had hiked in various national parks across the United States.
Park officials reminded visitors to adhere to bear safety protocols. These include staying alert, avoiding solo travel, and refraining from making sudden noises that could startle bears. Hikers are also advised to carry bear spray and avoid traveling during dawn, dusk, or at night when bears are most active.
This incident marks the first deadly bear attack in Glacier National Park since 1998 and the first bear attack of any kind since August 2025.