A hiker killed in a suspected bear attack left a heartbreaking voicemail for his father moments before tragedy struck.
Anthony Pollio, 33, had been on a solo hike during a two-week trip when he suddenly disappeared.
The experienced outdoorsman had reportedly called his dad while exploring a mountain trail and told him he loved him.
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Days later, search crews found his body in a remote wooded area.
The tragedy unfolded at Glacier National Park in Montana, in the USA, where Pollio had planned to hike toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout.
According to the National Park Service, Pollio had “communicated plans” to complete the route before he vanished.
Search teams began looking for him after relatives reported him missing, as reported by Need To Know.
Officials later found his body around 50ft off the Mount Brown Trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber.
In an update, 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 added that Pollio’s injuries were “consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter”.
The trail has since been temporarily closed while the investigation continues.
Pollio’s grieving father, Arthur, later told Florida outlets that his son had left him a voicemail while 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.
Arthur also told local outlet WPLG Local 10 that his son was “a fearless man” and an experienced outdoorsman.
Family members believe Pollio may have encountered a grizzly bear while descending the trail.
Authorities reportedly located bear spray among his belongings.
Pollio, a graduate of the University of Central Florida, had visited numerous national parks and was described by loved ones as passionate about animals and outdoor adventure.
According to local reports, he worked as a service advisor in Florida and volunteered as a church deacon.
The fatal attack is believed to be the first deadly bear encounter in Glacier National Park since 1998.
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