A university lecturer was mauled by a bear while teaching a class on the outdoors in the Alaska Panhandle, according to a university spokeswoman.

Forest Wagner, 35, an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Southeast, was with a group of 12 students when he was attacked by a bear with cubs on Mount Emmerich, near Haines in Alaska, according to Kate Bausler, the university spokeswoman.

One of the students hiked down the mountain to find mobile phone reception and call for help.

Mr Wagner was taken to hospital in Anchorage, according to the university.

His condition was not immediately available.

None of the Mr Wagner's students were hurt, the university said,

According to his profile on the university website, Mr Wagner has been teaching the university's outdoor studies program since 2006 and also works as a mountain guide.

He teaches a number of outdoor subjects including and ice climbing and crevasse rescue.

Mr Wagner was taken off the mountain by helicopter and his mountaineering class were led to safety in Haines.

The attack is the second bear mauling in Alaska to be reported in the last few days.

The earlier victim was a 77-year-old bear hunter named as Glenn Bohn who was mauled by a grizzly bear.