Hunter in Alaska mauled by bear before being shot in the leg while trying to fend it off

A hunter is recovering in hospital in Alaska after being mauled by a bear before being shot in the leg during efforts to fend it off, US authorities said.

Hunter in Alaska mauled by bear before being shot in the leg while trying to fend it off

The 32-year-old man was seriously injured in both the mauling and the shooting on the Kenai Peninsula on Saturday, Alaska State Troopers said.

The man was with a hunting companion who opened fire during the attack in a remote area near the Resurrection Pass trail.

However, it is not clear who fired the shot which struck the man as he tried to fight the bear off, Alaska State Troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain said.

The injured hunter, whose identity was not immediately released, was flown by helicopter to a hospital in the city of Anchorage.

The bear was killed, Mr DeSpain said.

-SKY NEWS