28 May 2023 , 19:40
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A man who "wrestled" a giant bear was left with claw marks on his head - because it attacked his chickens.
Hunter Craig Lankford, from Oregon, US, first shot the large male adult black bear on Tuesday evening after he saw it terrorising his chickens.
He went to look out for the bear the next morning and saw it near his home when he shot at it again, which then prompted the bear to attack Craig.
The bear had both of the hunter's arms in his jaws before he managed to wriggle away.
He was left with cuts on his forehead and bite lacerations on his arms following the terrifying attack.
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Craig's wife Tina said he was thankful to still be alive (Facebook)Police were called to the scene after reports of a bear attack at around 7.30am when they immediately shut the nearby roads.
A huge search operation was dispatched to look for the bear which included Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
Officials eventually located the bear the near the site of the attack almost three hours after the terrifying incident.
The bear was shot dead and a necropsy revealed bullet fragments in the animal.
Craig's wife Tina admitted he is thankful to be alive after the close encounter.
She wrote on Facebook: "We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love,' she wrote. 'He wrestled with a bear this morning and is actually still in the land of the living.
"Not many people come in contact with a bear and live to tell about it, but Craig did. We are very grateful for his extensive knowledge of the outdoors because it saved his life today.
"He has bear claw cuts on the top of his head and put both arms up in front of his face to protect his head.
"The bear got Craig’s arms in his jaws, and Craig has some pretty gnarly bear bite lacerations and hematomas on his forearms.
Craig did not suffer any muscle, nerve or tendon damage following the attack (Facebook)"Thank you so very much for your love and thoughts sent our way. It is appreciated."
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Fortunately, Craig did not suffer any muscle, nerve or tendon damage following the attack.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife watershed manager Jeff Yanke wished him a speedy recovery.
He said: "We are grateful Mr. Lankford survived this encounter and wish him a smooth and speedy recovery."
The agency warned residents wounded bears can be more dangerous as they will attack when hurt.
The shocking incident comes after a hungry bear stormed the premises of a bakery and helped itself to 60 cupcakes.
Workers at Taste by Spellbound in the town of Avon, Connecticut, US, were loading cakes into a van for delivery on Wednesday when the bear made a surprise appearance.
Bakery owner Miriam Stephens wrote in an Instagram post that she heard employee Maureen Williams “screaming bloody murder” and yelling that there was a bear in the garage.
Fortunately, no one was injured.