Members of a farmer’s family have complained that the 25-year-old farmer was injured in a bear attack in Huland village near Khanapur of Belagavi district on Wednesday.

Mahesh Gawade had gone to the forest area near the village as usual to graze his cow. After grazing them all day, he was returning home in the evening when a bear suddenly came out of the bushes and attacked him.

He tried to climb a nearby tree to save himself from the bear. But the wild animal followed him and bit him hard in the leg. His neighbour farmers heard his cries and helped his family shift him to a private hospital in Belagavi.

“He is recovering. We are investigating the incident,” Assistant Conservator of Forests Basavaraj Walad said.