A hiker who was mauled to death by a bear in Glacier National Park, Montana, had left a heartbreaking voicemail for his father just moments before the attack. Anthony Pollio, 33, from Florida, was on a solo hike during a two-week holiday when he vanished. He called his father, Arthur, to say he loved him and describe the mountain trail he was exploring.
Search crews later discovered Pollio's body about 50 feet off the Mount Brown Trail in a densely wooded area with fallen timber. The National Park Service stated that evidence suggests a surprise encounter with a bear, and injuries were consistent with a bear attack. Bear spray was found among his belongings.
Pollio's father described him as 'fearless' and a seasoned outdoorsman. Family members believe he may have encountered a grizzly bear while descending the trail. Pollio, a University of Central Florida graduate, worked as a service adviser and volunteered as a church deacon.
The fatal attack is the first deadly bear encounter in Glacier National Park since 1998. The trail has been temporarily closed while the investigation continues. This incident follows a bear attack in Yellowstone National Park that left two hikers injured earlier this week.
