An 81-year-old French hunter has gone on trial accused of killing an endangered bear that attacked him in the Pyrenees, The Guardian reports.

The brown bear is a protected species in the mountain range, which separates France and Spain.

Andre Rives was boar-hunting when a female bear nicknamed Caramelles attacked him.

The incident occurred on November 20, 2021, when two bear cubs emerged from the woods in front of Rives. Then their mother appeared, charging at him and then dragging him for several meters. He shot and killed the animal.

Rives sustained leg injuries and was in a state of shock. A fellow hunter managed to stem the bleeding before Rives was evacuated by helicopter.

According to the investigation, the bear was killed 400 meters (1,300ft) outside an authorized hunting area.

The case has caused an uproar in the department of Ariege, where hunters have held demonstrations in support of Rives.

The hunter himself said he had no choice but to shoot the bear.

Fifteen other hunters who also took part in the hunt were being prosecuted for various offences, including hunting in the Mont Valier nature reserve, one of the oldest reserves in the Pyrenees.

The hunters also argued that the boundaries of the reserve were poorly marked.

According to estimates from 2023, there are more than 80 bears currently in the Pyrenees.