A grieving father shared the heartbreaking final voicemail left by his “fearless” son before his “surprise encounter” with a bear who mauled him to death in Montana’s Glacier National Park.
On May 3, 33-year-old Anthony Edward Pollio arrived in Montana during a two-week road trip he had been taking with a friend.
According to his father, Arthur Pollio, the pair separated during the trip while Anthony stayed behind at Lake McDonald Lodge near Glacier National Park, before setting out alone on a hike near the historic Mount Brown Fire Lookout, a steep trail stretching roughly 10 miles roundtrip through rugged terrain inside the park.
Attacked by a bear
Days later, after Anthony failed to return, search crews located his body in a densely wooded area roughly 50 feet from the trail. Officials said that a can of bear spray was found near his body.
Investigators believe he died during a bear encounter.
“The sequence of events leading to the bear encounter remains under investigation; however, evidence suggests that this was a surprise encounter,” the National Park Service (NPS) said in a written statement.
Officials said the death appears to be the first fatal bear attack reported inside Glacier National Park since 1998.
‘Fearless’ outdoorsman
Speaking with the Sun Sentinel, Arthur described his son as a “motorhead” who spent much of his life chasing outdoor adventures.
“He was fearless,” he told the Sun Sentinel, adding that hunting had also been part of his son’s life for nearly two decades.
Over the years, Anthony – who worked as a service advisor at a Sebring boating center – traveled to several national parks and landmarks across the country, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton National Park, Starved Rock State Park in Illinois, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Arthur also recalled trips where Anthony searched for dinosaur fossils in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Outside his love for the outdoors, Anthony studied hospitality at the University of Central Florida and later lived in Sebring, where he served as a deacon at his church, Arthur shared.
“His life experiences in 33 years, some people don’t get to do ’til they’re 90 or their whole life,” he added.
‘I love you’
As investigators worked to reconstruct Anthony’s final moments on the mountain, his family shared what they believe may have happened during the deadly encounter.
“He saw a trail. It was only a few miles. It was daytime. His intention was to go up and see the sunset from the fire watch tower,” his brother Nicholas Pollio told WPLG.
Arthur added, “We think on the way down he encountered a grizzly bear.”
“I believe he was probably accosted by the bear. Used the bear spray. He might have ran from there,” Arthur said. “I think the bear may have chased him down, grabbed him by the shoulder.”
A grieving father shared the heartbreaking final voicemail left by his “fearless” son before his “surprise encounter” with a bear who mauled him to death in Montana’s Glacier National Park.
On May 3, 33-year-old Anthony Edward Pollio arrived in Montana during a two-week road trip he had been taking with a friend.
According to his father, Arthur Pollio, the pair separated during the trip while Anthony stayed behind at Lake McDonald Lodge near Glacier National Park, before setting out alone on a hike near the historic Mount Brown Fire Lookout, a steep trail stretching roughly 10 miles roundtrip through rugged terrain inside the park.
Attacked by a bear
Days later, after Anthony failed to return, search crews located his body in a densely wooded area roughly 50 feet from the trail. Officials said that a can of bear spray was found near his body.
Investigators believe he died during a bear encounter.
“The sequence of events leading to the bear encounter remains under investigation; however, evidence suggests that this was a surprise encounter,” the National Park Service (NPS) said in a written statement.
Officials said the death appears to be the first fatal bear attack reported inside Glacier National Park since 1998.
‘Fearless’ outdoorsman
Speaking with the Sun Sentinel, Arthur described his son as a “motorhead” who spent much of his life chasing outdoor adventures.
“He was fearless,” he told the Sun Sentinel, adding that hunting had also been part of his son’s life for nearly two decades.
Over the years, Anthony – who worked as a service advisor at a Sebring boating center – traveled to several national parks and landmarks across the country, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton National Park, Starved Rock State Park in Illinois, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Arthur also recalled trips where Anthony searched for dinosaur fossils in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Outside his love for the outdoors, Anthony studied hospitality at the University of Central Florida and later lived in Sebring, where he served as a deacon at his church, Arthur shared.
“His life experiences in 33 years, some people don’t get to do ’til they’re 90 or their whole life,” he added.
‘I love you’
As investigators worked to reconstruct Anthony’s final moments on the mountain, his family shared what they believe may have happened during the deadly encounter.
“He saw a trail. It was only a few miles. It was daytime. His intention was to go up and see the sunset from the fire watch tower,” his brother Nicholas Pollio told WPLG.
Arthur added, “We think on the way down he encountered a grizzly bear.”
“I believe he was probably accosted by the bear. Used the bear spray. He might have ran from there,” Arthur said. “I think the bear may have chased him down, grabbed him by the shoulder.”
“The bear just attacked him and killed him,” his dad added.
But the most heartbreaking detail Arthur shared was the final voicemail Anthony left during the hike – a message his father now holds onto after losing his son in the wilderness he loved so much.
“He says, ‘Dad, I’m hiking up a mountain. It’s wild out here,’” he told WVTJ. “He says, ‘I love you, dad,’ and that was the last message I received from him.”
Rare attack
Glacier National Park is home to both black bears and grizzly bears, though deadly attacks remain rare.
The last reported attack was in August 2025, when a 34-year-old hiker was charged and “swiped” by a “medium brown colored bear with two cubs.”
The NPS said the encounter was “a surprise to a sow with two cubs,” leading the momma bear to act “defensively.”
“No action will be taken against the bear,” NPS reported in the Aug. 28, 2025, release, which also revealed the woman quickly recovered from her injuries.
Park officials have not confirmed the type of bear involved in Anthony’s tragic incident, and wildlife crews continue to monitor the area while assessing any potential public safety concerns.
What do you think about hiking alone in a remote area where wild animals are known to live and hunt? Please let us know your thoughts and then share this story so we can hear from others!
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