Catholic Deacon Fell From Cliff During Grizzly Bear Attack

A Catholic deacon from Florida died in a horrific grizzly bear attack at Montana’s Glacier National Park after falling nearly 100 feet down a steep slope while the bear continued its assault, according to a newly released interagency report.

Anthony Pollio, 33, of Davie, Florida, was hiking alone on the Mt. Brown Lookout Trail on May 3 when investigators say he likely startled an adult male grizzly bear at close range in the dark.

The report, released July 20 by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, found that “darkness and deadfall on the trail” likely made it impossible for either Pollio or the bear to see each other until they were dangerously close. Officials concluded the attack was defensive, not predatory. (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee –)

Pollio managed to fully discharge his bear spray during the attack, but the grizzly kept coming. Investigators said he then plunged 93 feet downslope, likely while the animal was still attacking him.

Even after the terrifying fall, Pollio apparently fought to survive. The report found that he climbed about 18 feet back up the slope after the bear briefly stopped its assault. But the grizzly reengaged and killed him. (Flathead Beacon)

“The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged,” investigators wrote, adding that Pollio “appears to have been the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear.”

Officials said the bear appeared to be a lifelong Glacier National Park resident and had no known history of attacking people. The National Park Service is not planning to kill the animal, according to reports. (SFGATE)

Pollio’s body was discovered on May 6 about two-and-a-half miles up the Mt. Brown Trail in a densely wooded area. The National Park Service said he was found about 50 feet off the trail with injuries consistent with a bear encounter. (National Park Service)

His family said he was an avid outdoorsman who had traveled to some of America’s most famous natural landmarks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Starved Rock State Park and Mount Rushmore.

Before he died, Pollio had reportedly been hiking toward a fire lookout tower to catch the sunset. His father, Arthur Pollio, said Anthony left him a final voicemail while out of breath on the trail, describing his day and ending with the words, “Love you.”

When he was not hiking, Pollio was known as a “motorhead” who loved cruising around Florida. He was also a deacon at his local Catholic church and had graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in hospitality.

Pollio’s death was the first fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park since 1998. Another hiker was injured in a separate surprise grizzly encounter in the park on May 28, though that victim survived. (AP News)

Following the deadly attack, investigators urged visitors in bear country to avoid hiking alone, stay alert, make noise on the trail, avoid traveling at night, dawn or dusk, and carry bear spray where it can be reached quickly.