Interagency Report Reconstructs Fatal Mt. Brown Grizzly Attack

Overview

• The deadly encounter occurred on May 3 when 33-year-old hiker Anthony Pollio surprised an adult male grizzly on the Mt. Brown Lookout Trail in Glacier National Park.
• The interagency report released July 20 reconstructs a brief defensive attack and says darkness and deadfall likely prevented the bear and Mr. Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close.
• Investigators found Pollio fully discharged his bear spray, tumbled about 93 feet down a steep slope during the attack, climbed roughly 18 feet back up, and was then reengaged and killed by the bear.
• Officials say the bear appears to be a lifelong park resident with no history of human conflicts, which frames management toward education and nonlethal responses rather than immediate removal.
• The report prompted renewed safety advice to travel in groups, avoid hiking at dusk or after dark, make noise in low-visibility areas, and keep bear spray readily accessible while policy advocates press for stronger prevention rules.