A Canadian man leaped to the defense of his wife after a polar bear lunged toward her in a dramatic ambush by the animal in rural Ontario.
According to the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, the unidentified couple left their house at around 5 a.m. Tuesday to find their dogs.
They were met in their driveway by a feisty polar bear, who lunged at the woman.
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A polar bear lunged at a woman in rural Ontario. (Sergio Pitamitz/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Police said the fast-moving man jumped onto the mammal to prevent the attack.
"The woman slipped to the ground as her husband leap[ed] onto the animal to prevent its attack," police said in a statement. "The bear then attacked the male, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and legs."
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A neighbor arrived with a gun and shot the bear several times. After being shot, it retreated into nearby woods where it died.
The bear was shot and retreated into the woods. (Monica Wilcox via Storyful)
The man was transported to a community nursing station, where he was treated for his injuries, police said.
Police said they "continued to patrol the area to ensure no other bears were roaming the community."