FORT SEVERN - A man is expected to recover from serious injuries he received after jumping onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being attacked.
The incident happened early this morning (Dec. 3) in Fort Severn First Nation. Located near Hudson Bay, it is the most northern community in Ontario.
When Nishnawbe Aski Police Service was called to a residential address for reports of gunfire, they were also told about a possible polar bear sighting in the same area.
At the scene, police found a dead polar bear and learned that a man had been brought to the community nursing station to be treated for his injuries.
Police explained that a man and woman left their home before 5 a.m. to find their dogs.
"While in the driveway of their home, a polar bear lunged at the woman," said police in a news release.
"The woman slipped to the ground as her husband leapt onto the animal to prevent its attack. The bear then attacked the male, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and legs."
A neighbour shot the bear several times and it retreated to a nearby wooded area, where it died from its injuries.
Police patrolled the area after the incident to make sure there were no other bears roaming in the community.