By Erika Hernandez
The death of Anthony Pollio, a 33-year-old hiker from Florida, has shocked family and authorities after he was found dead in Glacier National Park, Montana, after an alleged bear attack during a solo hike.
The man had disappeared while on a two-week trip with a friend. His body was found Wednesday about 50 feet from a mountain trail.as reported by the United States National Park Service.
“I love you, dad”: Anthony Pollio’s last message
The victim’s father, Arthur Pollio, told the media that he received a last voice message from his son while he was hiking the Mountain Brown Path.
According to him, Anthony sounded exhausted from the walk, but excited by the experience. Before saying goodbye, she told him how much she loved him.
“He told me, ‘Dad, I’m climbing a mountain. This is wild.’ Then he added, ‘I love you, Dad.'”Arthur Pollio told NBC6.
That was the last contact they had.
The National Park Service began the search on May 4, after the family reported that they had no news of the hiker.
Rescue teams located some of Pollio’s personal belongings in a heavily wooded area before finding his body.
Authorities said the injuries were “consistent with an encounter with a bear.” and they stated that the investigation remains open.
“The evidence suggests that this was a surprise encounter,” the agency said in a statement.
The section of the trail where the incident occurred was temporarily closed while specialists monitor the behavior of wildlife in the area.
The family believes he tried to defend himself
Pollio’s relatives suspect that The hiker may have encountered a grizzly bear while walking to an observation tower to watch the sunset.
His father believes Anthony probably used bear pepper spray before trying to escape. “I think the bear chased him and attacked him,” Arthur Pollio said.
The victim’s brother, Nicholas Pollio, explained that the hike did not seem dangerous and that Anthony had experience in outdoor activities.
Anthony Pollio resided in Sebring and worked as a service advisor at McKibben Powersports. In addition, he worked as a deacon in his native church. A graduate of the College of Central Florida with a degree in hospitality, he was a fan of water sports, off-road vehicles, and trips to national parks.
“He lived more experiences in 33 years than many people do in a lifetime,” said his father.
According to reports cited by local media, This would be the first death caused by a bear attack in Montana since 1998.
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