Anthony Pollio, 33, had been on a solo hike during a two-week trip when he suddenly disappeared in Glacier National Park, Montana, where it is said a bear attacked him
A “fearless” hiker left his dad a heartbreaking voicemail just moments before he was attacked by a bear.
Anthony Pollio, 33, had been on a solo hike during a two-week holiday when he suddenly vanished without a trace. The experienced athlete had rang his father while exploring a mountain trail, telling him he loved him.
But days later, search crews discovered his body in a remote, wooded area at Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. Authorities there understand Anthony was mauled by a bear during a hike. The tourist, a university graduate, had “communicated plans” to complete a famous route, hoping to reach the Mount Brown Fire Lookout.
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Rangers with the National Park Service and police officers launched an operation to find Anthony after relatives reported him missing. Officials subsequently found his body approximately 50ft off the Mount Brown Trail in a densely wooded area with fallen timber.
In a statement, Glacier National Park said: “The sequence of events leading to the bear encounter remains under investigation; however, evidence suggests that this was a surprise encounter.”
The park further noted that Pollio’s injuries were “consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter”. The trail has since been temporarily closed while the investigation remains ongoing.
Pollio’s devastated father, Arthur, later told Florida outlets that his son had left him a voicemail while out hiking. According to NBC6 and the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Pollio told his dad he loved him while describing the mountain trail he was exploring.
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Arthur also told local outlet WPLG Local 10 that his son was “a fearless man” and a seasoned outdoorsman. Family members believe Pollio may have come across a grizzly bear while making his way down the trail.
Authorities reportedly discovered bear spray amongst his belongings. Pollio, a graduate of the University of Central Florida, had visited numerous national parks and was described by those close to him as passionate about animals and outdoor adventure.
According to local reports, he worked as a service adviser in Florida and volunteered as a church deacon. The fatal attack is thought to be the first deadly bear encounter in Glacier National Park since 1998.
It comes after a bear attack on Monday in Yellowstone National Park left two hikers injured. Hiker Craig Lerman recorded video of one of the injured hikers, who was lying on the ground, reportedly with facial injuries, wearing a bloodied shirt. It was the first time a bear has injured someone in Yellowstone National Park this year, the park service said.
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