A “fearless” hiker emptied his bear spray and survived a 93ft tumble down a mountainside before a grizzly returned and killed him, an official report has revealed.
Anthony Pollio’s death was first reported in May after his body was discovered during a search in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Authorities initially believed the 33-year-old had died following a surprise encounter with a bear but said the circumstances remained under investigation.
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A newly released interagency Board of Review report has now confirmed that Anthony was killed by an adult male grizzly and reconstructed his final movements, as reported by Need To Know.
The investigation found that he was descending the Mount Brown Lookout trail alone in darkness when he surprised the animal at close range.
Anthony managed to completely empty his can of bear spray during the initial assault, although investigators could not determine whether it hit the animal.
He then fell or was thrown 93ft down the steep mountainside, probably while the grizzly continued attacking him.
Evidence suggested the bear briefly broke away, giving Anthony enough time to climb around 18ft back uphill.
But the animal then re-engaged and killed him with crushing bites to the head, according to the report released on 20 July.
Investigators said: “The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged.”
Anthony, from Davie, Florida, had been travelling for around two weeks when he entered the park on 3 May.
The experienced outdoorsman arrived at approximately 4.45pm and decided to hike towards the Mount Brown Fire Lookout.
He began the 5.1-mile climb at around 6.30pm.
The trail rises by 4,240ft and was described in the report as one of the steepest in the park.
At 6.48pm, Anthony left a voicemail for his father, Arthur, telling him that he was hiking towards a lookout.
Pictured: Anthony Pollio.
Hiker’s final act before being killed by grizzly bear revealed in chilling new report
A “fearless” hiker emptied his bear spray and survived a 93ft tumble down a mountainside before a
Arthur previously told Florida outlets that his son also said he loved him while describing the trail he was exploring.
Anthony’s final known communication was a text message sent to his girlfriend at 8.20pm.
He said he had “climbed over 2,000 ft and 3 miles” and still had “2,400 ft to gain”.
Anthony planned to watch the sunset before returning to his car in the dark by around 11pm and finding somewhere to camp.
Investigators believe the attack probably happened at around 9.30pm, although the precise time of his death remains unknown.
The report said darkness and trees which had fallen across the trail would have prevented Anthony and the bear from seeing one another until they were very close.
It added that Anthony may have been using his mobile phone as a torch.
Claw marks on a burned tree and a displaced stone indicated where the animal may have launched its attack.
The discharged bear spray was also recovered from the same area.
Anthony’s possessions, including his phone, charging equipment, hat and the broken holster from his bear spray, were found scattered down the mountainside.
Blood increased further down the slope, with a large pool marking the point 93ft beneath the trail where investigators believe his descent ended.
Marks on branches and blood evidence indicated that Anthony then managed to climb approximately 18ft back uphill before the bear returned.
The report found no evidence that the grizzly fed on him or attempted to conceal his remains.
It concluded that the incident was not predatory and described Anthony as the victim of a “defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear”.
Anthony was reported missing by his father the following afternoon after failing to return.
The search involved ground crews, aircraft and a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter equipped with infrared technology.
His body was discovered at 12.10pm on 6 May after a searcher spotted his empty bear spray can in vegetation beside the trail.
DNA recovered at the scene identified the animal as a male grizzly aged at least 15.
According to the Board of Review, the bear appeared to be a lifelong resident of the park and had no known history of aggression or conflict with people.
Anthony was a graduate of the University of Central Florida and reportedly worked as a service adviser and volunteered as a church deacon.
Loved ones described him as passionate about animals and outdoor adventures.
The review urged hikers to travel in groups, make noise where visibility is poor, keep bear spray immediately accessible and avoid walking at night, dawn or dusk.
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