A grieving father recalled the final message he received from his son before he was mauled by a bear on a solo hike in Montana.
Florida resident Anthony Pollio, 33, was found dead on Wednesday at Glacier National Park after going missing while on a two-week trip with a friend.
According to a statement from the National Park Service, Pollio’s body was discovered 50 feet off a mountain trail ‘with injuries consistent with a bear encounter.’
Pollio’s father, Arthur Pollio, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that his son left a voicemail while he was on his very last hike.
An out-of-breath Pollio told Arthur about his adventures on the Mountain Brown Trail. He then reminded his father that he loved him.
Pollio’s last known message was sent later that evening.
”He said, “Dad, I’m hiking up a mountain. It’s wild out here,”‘ Arthur told NBC6. ‘He says, “I love you, dad,” and that was the last message I received from him.’
The National Park Service began search efforts on the afternoon of May 4, when his family had not heard from him.
Anthony Pollio, 33, died after being attacked by a bear while on a solo hike in Montana
Pollio’s family claimed that he was mauled by a grizzly bear (file photo)
Search and rescue teams found some of his personal items in a ‘densely wooded area.’
‘The sequence of events leading to the bear encounter remains under investigation; however, evidence suggests that this was a surprise encounter,’ the park service said.
‘The section of trail where the incident occurred has been temporarily closed while the investigation continues,’ their statement continued.
‘Park staff are working to determine next steps based on field assessments and wildlife behavior monitoring.’
Arthur told WLPG Local 10 that his son was a smart man who had lots of experience with the outdoors.
‘Anthony was a fearless man,’ he said.’… He’s an educated man and the bear just attacked him and killed him.’
Pollio called his dad right before his death, telling him that he loved him
Pollio had visited Glacier National Park for a two-week trip with his friend. His loved ones said he planned to go on a solo hike to watch the sunset before his death
According to his brother, Nicholas, Pollio had only intended to watch the sunset on a short, relaxing hike.
‘He saw a trail. It was only a few miles,’ he said.
‘It was daytime. His intention was to go up and see the sunset from the fire watch tower.’
Instead, the family said, Pollio encountered what they believed to be 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.’
Pollio was a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he studied hospitality.
At the time of his death, he lived in Sebring, Florida, where he volunteered as a deacon at his church and worked as a Service Advisor at McKibben Powersports.
Family members reported Pollio missing after no one heard from him after his hike
Pollio loved animals and enjoyed driving ATVs in his home state of Florida. His father said he was an educated and courageous man
He was passionate about animals and enjoyed water sports, driving ATVs and racing cars. Pollio traveled often and had been to many National Parks in his life.
‘His life experiences in 33 years, some people don’t get to do until they’re 90 or their whole life,’ his dad said.
Pollio’s death marks the first fatal bear attack in Montana since 1998.
The Daily Mail contacted the National Park Service for more information.
