Man may face charges after bear attack in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 17 (UPI) -- A man mauled by a bear may face charges for throwing meat to it, Alaska authorities say.

Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said the man, whose name was not released, had been drinking at a Saturday church picnic near the Eklutna Lake Campground, north of Anchorage, when he decided to go for a bike ride by himself, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday.

Ipsen said the man, who brought along some food from the barbecue, spotted the black bear about 5 p.m. and threw it a piece of meat.

The bear ate the meat and the man offered a second piece.

"That's when it kind of went ballistic," Ipsen said of the bear.

The man suffered skin punctures along his jaw and scratches on his back.

Ipsen said the man was treated at a local hospital and released. She said the man may face charges for illegally feeding wildlife.