A man was being mauled by a 500-pound bear: He survived the attack by kicking it

A man survived a near-death experience after being attacked by a brown bear on an Alaskan trail.

The man was riding his bicycle alone along the riverbed of Jack River on Oct.19 when he saw a brown bear 10 to 15 yards away, according to an Alaska Wildlife Troopers press release.

As the bear charged toward him, the man hopped off his bike and began screaming at the animal before he fell on the ground and onto his back. He told the troopers he covered his head and believed he kicked the bear, but not before it bit him on his right leg.

The bear then retreated back into the forest and the man walked to a highway to call a friend to take him to a local medical center.

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According to the release, he received treatment for a puncture wound and laceration. He estimated the bear was 500 pounds and although he was carrying a firearm during the attack, he decided not to use it.

Fatal and near-fatal bear attacks have topped headlines in 2021.

A man sustained significant injuries after being attacked by a bear at Yellowstone National Park in May. In July, a camper was killed after a grizzly bear wandered onto a campsite in Montana.

Last month, a couple and their dog were attacked by a bear while having a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The couple received treatment for their injuries and the dog was unharmed.

Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man kicks 500-pound brown bear to survive attack in Alaska