Days After Hiker Vanished in National Park, Sad News

A dayslong search for a missing hiker in Glacier National Park ended in tragedy on Wednesday with the discovery of his body and signs he was likely killed by a bear. The National Park Service said the man was found around midday about 2.5 miles up the Mount Brown Trail, roughly 50 feet off the path in thick woods with felled timber, reports NBC News. His injuries were described as "consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter," per the NPS. Wildlife and law enforcement staff are now monitoring the area for bear activity and any ongoing safety risks, and an investigation is underway.

The Flathead Beacon identifies the man as 33-year-old Anthony Pollio of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It's the park's first fatal bear attack since 1998 and its first reported bear attack of any kind since August, per the NPS. Glacier National Park, home to about 1,000 bears, including some 300 grizzlies, had launched a search after the hiker, who'd said he planned to head toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout, was reported missing on Monday; his last message was sent Sunday night, notes NBC. The incident follows a separate bear attack earlier in the week in Yellowstone National Park, where two hikers, ages 15 and 28, were seriously injured and flown out by helicopter.