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A Canadian man being mauled by a Grizzly bear was then shot by a friend trying to save him from the beast. The 56-year-old was attacked by the bear at about 9 a.m. Sunday near Fernie, British Columbia, according to David Karn, with the Ministry of Environment.

The man was saved because, "during the attack, the victim's hunting partner shot at the bear, killing the bear," Karn told NBC News in an email.

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"The bear is a grizzly bear boar and it is believed at this time to be the only bear involved," said Karn.

The victim, identified by multiple Canadian media outlets as taxidermist Wilf Lloyd, was transported by a STARS air ambulance to a Calgary hospital. According to STARS spokesman David Fairbanks, the victim was "shot accidentally by his hunting partner while attempting to neutralize the animal."

It was unclear where the man was wounded or how extensive the mauling injuries to his leg were, but he was listed in stable condition.

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STAR-1 (Calgary) has been dispatched for a scene call emergency in the Fernie, BC area. — STARS Ambulance (@STARSambulance) October 12, 2014

— Hasani Gittens