Bear attack leaves Colorado sheepherder with severe injuries

The 35-year-old had to be airlifted after he shot and fended off the 250lb animal preying on his sheep

A black bear attacked a sheepherder in the Colorado mountains, leaving the 35-year-old man severely injured with bites to his head and other wounds, wildlife officials said. The bear suspected of attacking him was later killed.

The attack, the first reported in Colorado this year, happened early on Tuesday in the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan national forest in south-western Colorado, the state parks and wildlife department said in a news release.