Man injured after killing bear that attacked him while picking berries

A 72-year-old man picking berries in Montana shot and killed a grizzly bear that attacked and seriously injured him last week, officials said.

The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was on Flathead National Forest land near North Fork Road on July 18 “when he reported an encounter with a bear that attacked him,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a news release.

The bear was shot, the department added. Officials determined the man, who was hospitalized, acted in self-defense.

The condition of the 72-year-old man is currently unknown.

PEOPLE has contacted FWP for comment.

“FWP wardens and bear specialists responded to the incident and confirmed that an adult female grizzly bear was killed,” the agency added. “FWP is working to determine if any cubs are present.”

The reason for the attack is still unclear, but spokesman Dillon Tabish told the Associated Press that the bear was acting defensively against guarding cubs.

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Tabish said it was unlikely that officials would find suitable facilities to accommodate the boys if they were found.

“Depending on their age, we may leave them in the wild because they have a better chance of survival there than having to euthanize them,” the spokesman added.

In its press release, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminded park visitors that the state is “bear country” and they should be prepared to encounter both grizzly and black bears.

“Avoiding conflict with bears is easier than dealing with conflict,” officials advised.