Man attacked by bear shot- A Canadian man, who was viciously attacked by a grizzly bear near Fernie on Sunday, has been shot by his hunting partner in an attempt to neutralize the animal.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred at about 9 a.m. during a hunting trip 260 km southwest of Calgary, British Columbia. 

The 56-years-old man attacked by the bear and shot has been identified as Wild Lloyd, a taxidermist. He has since been taken to the hospital and is reported to be in critical condition. Mr. Lloyd was hunting elks with his son-in-law, Skeet Podrasky, who was later forced to shoot him twice after the male bear pounced on him.

Reports indicate that Podrasky called for help and "conservation officers and other first responders rushed to the scene. The victim was driven out of the forested area on an ATV and flown by helicopter to a Calgary hospital in stable condition. The officers remained at the attack site to investigate the incident," according to AP. The grizzly has reportedly been shot and killed.

Officials believe the man attacked by the bear and shot may have done something to precipitate the defensive actions of the animal. A fresh carcass of a deer has allegedly been found near the scene of the attack.

"The bear is a grizzly bear boar and it is believed at this time to be the only bear involved," says David Karn Spokesman of the Ministry of Environment.

"STARS responded to the Fernie area around 9.23 a.m. to transport a 56-year old male who had been mauled by a bear and shot while another person attempted to neutralize the animal," says David Fairbanks spokesman for the STARS Air Ambulance.

The man attacked by the bear and shot is not the first victim of attacks by these animals in the British Columbia area. Many of these unpleasant interactions have ended in fatal injuries and death.

There are about 150 bears estimated to be in the area - particularly near the Flathead Valley. Experts say there is at least one bear per 15 square kilometers.