A man was seriously injured after he was attacked on Saturday by a sun bear in Pailin town, local authorities confirmed.

Cheam Karn, 55, sustained severe injuries to his head and left arm following the vicious attack, which took place while he was searching for fruits and rattan vines with other villagers in the heavily forested O’Romeat area of O’Tavao commune, said O’Tavao police chief Kong Samnang.

“According to the victim’s wife, before the incident, the victim went to the forest and brought a dog along with him and other villagers in order to find fruits, like samrong fruits, that they sell at the market every day,” he said.

“Unfortunately, after he had just gotten some fruits, the bear suddenly emerged and attacked him by biting his head and left arm. The victim was injured seriously.”

Karn was quickly rescued by the other villagers who brought him out of the forest, which was 1,000 metres away from the closest village. They sent him to the Pailin Provincial Hospital, Samnang added.

Karn is currently recovering in the hospital.

According to Samnang, this is the second time this year that a sun bear has attacked villagers who are fruit-picking in the area.

The first case happened less than two weeks ago on April 28 at the nearby Phnom Dombong village in O’Tavao commune.

The victim, Seurn Mun, 53, who was attacked in the same forest area, had just been released from the provincial hospital last Friday.