This is the horrifying moment a bear charges at a man in a forest and mauls him after he sneaked up on the animal and kicked it.

The lone 'daredevil’ - who has not been identified - filmed himself stalking the young brown bear through secluded woodland in the Kamchatka region of Russia's Far East before kicking it in the back, Sputnik reports.

The bewildered animal - apparently unaware he was there - responded by roaring at the man, launching at him and biting his hand.

The bear ran away immediately after the attack and the man could be heard complaining in disbelief: "It bit through my hand."

It is unknown when the incident occurred. The local forestry agency confirmed it is aware of the video and is investigating.