Two men were injured – one of them seriously – in an attack by a wild bear they encountered while fishing in O’Som commune’s Chhay Lou village of Pursat province’s Veal Veng district on July 4, local authorities said.

Village chief Yun Chun identified the two farmers as Phy Peakdey, 31, and Ngoy Ngoeun, 33.

Pheakdey received a laceration across his face and chin with the wound stretching from ear to ear, as well as defensive wounds to his hands, while Ngoeun had injuries to both of his arms.

“Pheakdey has been admitted to hospital due to the seriousness of his injuries, while Ngoeun was treated and sent home as he received lighter injuries. But the wounds do not appear to be deadly or critical for either of them,” Chun said.

Citing the victims' account, Chun said the incident occurred just before noon when both were walking with their fishing net at Ta Chan stream located over 10km from their village. Pheakdey was walking in front.

They were surprised by a large bear that first attacked Pheakdey and then Ngoeun came to his assistance and they fought the animal for nearly 30 minutes until it finally retreated into the forest after the struggle.

The victims then returned home and were assisted by relatives who took them to the local clinic.

Chun noted that bears are afraid of people and will avoid them under normal conditions, but occasionally bears that are suffering from food poisoning or illness will lose their fear of people and attack them. He said that bears normally look for bee hives in the trees or eat certain types of fruit.

“It was a big bear and that’s why it could attack people. I know that Ta Chan stream has a large population of bears. They come down there especially when it is rainy season and there's more food available. Many years ago, my older sister was also attacked by a bear which badly damaged her nose, which she now covers with a veil when she goes out,” the village chief said.

Commune police chief Sam Ra said he went to search the area where the incident took place, but there was no longer any sign of the bear's presence.