Courtesy: Nishnawbe Aski Police Service

A Fort Severn man is recovering after jumping onto a polar bear to protect his wife.

Officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service in Fort Severn were sent to a home on Tuesday morning in response to reports of gunfire.

Police were also made aware of a possible bear sighting in the same area.

When officers arrived they found a dead polar bear and learned a man had been injured and was sent to the community nursing station to have his injuries assessed and treated.

An investigation determined the couple had left their home before 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday to find their dogs.

While in their driveway a polar bear tried to attack the woman.

She fell to the ground and her husband lept onto the animal to prevent an attack.

The bear then attacked the man instead causing serious but non-life threatening injuries to his arm and legs.

During the attack, a neighbour came over with a gun and shot the bear several times.

The bear went back into the woods and died due to its injuries.

Police continued to patrol the area to ensure no other bears were roaming in the area.