Ontario Provincial Police are warning people in cottage country to keep pets indoors and exercise caution outside after a bear attacked a man in the Port Severn area.

The man, 47, was planting a garden with his wife when he was mauled by a large black bear around 6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday in the area of Upper Big Chute Road and Kinnear Sideroad, northwest of Orillia.

Police were called and the man was airlifted to Toronto's Sunnybrook hospital where he was treated and released.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has set a number of traps as the search for the bear continues.

Const. Peter Leon, the OPP central region media relations officer, said it's a "great public concern" knowing the bear is still out there, especially with the Victoria Day long weekend coming.

Leon said the man was attacked in area used by campers and people riding horses.

The bear bolted when people heard the man's repeated cries for help. He suffered wounds to his right foot and calf, and his right arm.