A Bratislava forester was injured in an attack on Monday by a brown bear in central Slovakia, and the animal was shot dead by his son, authorities said on Tuesday.

Officials later confirmed that three orphaned cubs were found near the scene.

Environment state secretary Filip Kuffa said the father and son had been inspecting timber in a mountain forest with a hunting dog when the bear attacked unexpectedly.

According to Mr Kuffa, the father fired several shots from his pistol in self-defence, but the bear knocked him to the ground and bit him repeatedly.

His son then shot and killed the animal with a handgun.

The hunting dog was later found about 200 metres away with severe injuries and subsequently died.

The father received hospital treatment.

A spokesman for the Brown Bear Intervention Team of the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic told public broadcaster Slovak Television and Radio that the dead bear was a nursing mother.

Three cubs, estimated to be around one month old and already severely weakened, were discovered nearby.

As they would not have survived on their own, the cubs were transferred to a zoo in Bojnice.

The only male cub was reported to be severely dehydrated and required urgent veterinary treatment.

According to the most recent official census published in 2022, Slovakia has an estimated 1,200 wild brown bears.

Although the animals generally avoid humans, they can attack if startled or if a mother perceives a threat to her young.

Several fatal encounters have been reported in recent years.

(dpa/NAN)