A 62-year-old man from Moscow was seriously injured after a bear attacked him while he was fishing in Russia’s Tuva Republic.

The man had traveled to Tuva as a tourist and was fishing with a group of friends on the Bolshoy Yenisei River in the Todzhinsky District when the bear attacked during the day, according to SHOT.

The animal inflicted severe injuries on the fisherman, including tearing away soft tissue from his face. The group managed to drive the bear away.

The injured man was taken to hospital, where he is receiving treatment. His life is not in danger.

The tourists had ignored restrictions introduced amid an increase in bear encounters in the region.

Outdoor activities in Tuva have been prohibited until November 30, while a heightened-alert regime is currently in effect in 11 municipalities, restricting people from entering forests.

A federal ban on fishing also came into force in the region on September 10.