NewsUS NewsBearsThe attack marks the first fatal bear mauling in Glacier National Park since 1998, but authorities will not euthanise or hunt down the 'surprised' animal responsibleRachel Vickers-Price UK and World News Reporter07:06, 29 Jul 2026A man has died after falling 100 feet whilst being attacked by a "surprised" grizzly bear, an investigation into the horrifying incident has found.The attack marks the first fatal bear mauling in Montana's Glacier National Park since 1998, but authorities will not euthanise or hunt down the animal responsible as the bear was not hunting the man at the time of his death.As per a new report, issued this week by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Board of Review - a board of state and federal bear experts convened to investigate the “stunningly rare” attack earlier this year - 33-year-old Florida man Anthony Pollio of Fort Lauderdale was killed in the Montana national park in May.‌‌He was hiking the Mount Brown Lookout trail, one of the steepest in the park, alone. According to text messages he had sent friends and family sent before the attack, he had planned to hike to the lookout and watch the sunset.As per the report, at the time of the attack, the trail had numerous downed trees that had been blown over in the previous winter. "Darkness and deadfall on the trail would have prevented the bear and Mr. Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close,” the report reads, indicating the attack occurred at about 9.30pm at night.‌Investigators said the man was able to fire off a can of bear spray before he fell from the trail, tumbling down the side of a hill. The bear continued to attack him as he fell, based on blood and other evidence at the scene.‌Pollio fell almost a full 100 feet down the slope before the bear then broke off the attack. The 33-year-old began to climb back up the slope, and managed to get about 18 feet uphill before the animal returned and chomped down on his head.As per investigators, that was the coup de grâce that killed the Florida man, with the bear leaving the area shortly after, as per wildlife investigators, once the animal's grim work was complete.According to the report into the rare mauling, investigators concluded: “Mr. Pollio appears to have been the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear.” While the bear was never found, DNA evidence collected from hair left behind at the scene suggests that it was at least 15 years old. It had also most likely had lived in and around Glacier Park its entire life. Because it was most likely a surprise attack, as opposed to a stalking attack, wildlife management protocols mandate that the bear need not put down.Article continues belowOfficials with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks say that bear attacks in Glacier National Park and its surrounds are very rare, with only 10 recorded since 1967.The most recent occurred back in 1998, when a man was killed while hiking the Scenic Point Trail in the Two Medicine Valley. The most infamous was in 1967, when two different bears killed two different women on the same night, mere miles apart from each other.To avoid surprising a bear while hiking, the report concluded with several recommendations for nature lovers. Those directions include staying alert when in bear country, especially when visibility is low or limited. Hikers are recommended to make noise while hiking, like talking, singing or clapping loudly. Hikers should carry bear spray, and - perhaps most importantly, do not hike at night or alone.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Bears