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https://people.com/hikers-smart-watch-reveals-what-happened-in-his-final-moments-after-bear-attack-11868657

Hiker’s Smart Watch Reveals What Happened in His Final Moments After He Was Dragged into Forest and Killed by Bear

The 26-year-old man was attacked by a brown bear while hiking on Mount Rausu in Japan on Aug. 14

By Kimberlee Speakman Published on December 13, 2025 04:58PM EST

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A brown bear walking along a mountain stream in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido.

New details have emerged about the 26-year-old hiker in Japan who was attacked and dragged into a forest by a brown bear on Aug. 14

The man's GPS smart watch revealed where he was dragged by the animal and where he possibly died after the attack

At least 13 people have been killed, and more than 100 others have been injured, in bear attacks in Japan, per an October report from the country's Ministry of Environment

New details have emerged about the hiker who was attacked and killed by a brown bear in Japan in August — all due to his GPS smart watch.

The man — identified by NHK as 26-year-old Sota Keisuke — had been hiking on Mount Rausu in the Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido on Aug. 14 when the animal attacked and dragged him into a forest.

A search party for Keisuke was sent out the following day, after his friend, who had been with him at the time, reported the attack. Searchers found a piece of a shirt that may have belonged to the victim and his wallet, before eventually finding the man in the afternoon.

Keisuke was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities recovered Keisuke's GPS watch following the attack, which provided some more insight into what happened. The data recovered showed that the watch deviated from the Mount Rausu hiking trail and went down a forested slope at around 11 a.m. local time on Aug. 14, according to Japanese outlet Asahi Shimbun.

The watch then trembled before circling repeatedly over the same spot in an area of thick brush. The data also revealed that the man likely died about 109 to 142 yards away from the trail, as that was when it was recorded that his heart stopped beating, per the outlet.

The watch then stayed in the same spot all night before moving again the next day at around 9 a.m., traveling several hundred yards through the brush, which suggests that the bear returned to drag the man’s body away, Asahi Shimbun reported.

According to the news outlet, a search and rescue team found Keisuke’s body being dragged by a mother bear as she was flanked by two of her bear cubs. All three brown bears were killed on the scene. Other traces of the man’s remains were found in an earth mound about 109 yards away from where the bears were killed, per the outlet.

Keisuke's body was recovered and returned to the Shari Police Station in Hokkaido, where his parents positively identified him. Police officers reportedly advised the man’s parents to “look only at his face” due to the extent of his injuries.

Following the attack, authorities closed the mountain trail, The Japan Times reported.

Officials with the Hokkaido prefectural government said the Aug. 14 incident was the first recorded bear attack in the Shiretoko Mountain Range, which includes Mount Rausu, in 63 years, according to The Japan News.

Since April, at least 13 people have been killed, and more than 100 others have been injured, in bear attacks in Japan, according to Al Jazeera, which cited an October report from the Ministry of Environment.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5810373&forum_id=2],#49510011)

https://dcnpli0d6y9ikl.archive.ph/416hV/905fdc9e7f7e85b33d6532cec8121e26a914f04e.jpg

not flame.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5810373&forum_id=2],#49510133)

that looks sick too

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5810373&forum_id=2],#49510888)

Catholic deacon fell 100 feet while being mauled to death by ‘surprised’ grizzly bear

A Catholic deacon mauled to death by a grizzly bear fell almost 100 feet as the animal continued to attack him, according to the findings into the rare attack.

Anthony Pollio, 33, was hiking in Montana’s Glacier National Park on May 3 when he “surprised an adult male grizzly bear on the Mt. Brown Lookout trail,” according to an interagency report on the first deadly bear attack at the park in nearly 30 years.

“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 stated, saying the protective grizzly launched an “intense” attack.

Man in a suit and light blue shirt in a car, giving a thumbs up.

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Anthony Pollio, 33, was killed in a grizzly bear attack at Montana’s Glacier National Park in May.

Facebook / Anthony Pollio

Pollio, of Davie, Florida, “fully discharged” his bear spray — but plunged 93 feet downslope “probably while the bear continued its attack,” the July 20 report stated.

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Pollio managed to climb 18 feet back up the slope as the bear briefly halted its attack — before it “reengaged and killed Mr. Pollio,” the report stated.

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“The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged.”

“Mr. Pollio appears to have been the victim of a defensive attack by a surprised grizzly bear.”

Man poses with hands like claws in front of dinosaur skeletons.

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Anthony was a deacon with his local Catholic Church in Florida.

Facebook / Anthony Pollio

The killer bear “appears to be a lifelong resident of the park” with no history of attacking humans, the report stated.

Investigators reminded visitors to follow basic bear safety protocols, including staying alert, avoiding traveling alone and refraining from making noise such as “talking, singing or clapping” that could scare bears.

Atnthony Pollio

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The man’s father said he received a touching voicemail from his son before his death.

Local10

Hikers should also always carry bear spray and “avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk when bears are most active,” the authors added.

The body of Pollio, an avid outdoorsman, was discovered on May 6, about two-and-a-half miles up the Mt. Brown Trail in a densely wooded area.

His family said at the time they believed he was hiking to a fire lookout tower to catch the sunset when he was attacked.

Pollio’s grieving father, Arthur, said his “fearless” son left him a voicemail as he set off on his fateful hike.

He recounted how Anthony sounded out of breath while he recounted his day, ending with the words, “Love you,” Arthur told the Sun Sentinel.

Arthur said his son was an experienced hunter and added that when he wasn’t hiking, the “motorhead” could be found cruising around Florida or preaching at his local Catholic Church.

Before his final trip to Montana, Pollio had hiked through the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Starved Rock State Park, and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

“His life experiences in 33 years — some people don’t get to do ’til they’re 90 or their whole life,” Arthur said.

A lifelong Floridian, Pollio graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in hospitality.

His death marks the first bear attack in Glacier National Park since August 2025, and the first fatal one since 1998.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5810373&forum_id=2],#50027302)