Robert Biggs, 69, of Paradise, Calif., told the Paradise Post he was hiking Monday when he was attacked by a mountain lion.

"They usually grab hold of your head with all four paws," Biggs said. "But my backpack was up above my head and (the mountain lion) grabbed it instead."

Shortly before the encounter, Biggs said he had seen mother bear with a pair of cubs—which he thinks is what the mountain lion was after.

"It must have been stalking the little bear," Biggs said, "but it was on me in seconds."

But just as quickly, the mother bear came to his aid. he said. "The bear and the cat battled for about 15 seconds," Biggs recalled, before both ran away.