Cougar attack has Parks Canada officials in Banff on alert
Posted May 27, 2013 7:20 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Parks Canada officials say a man was knocked down by a cougar late Thursday in Banff; spokesman Bill Hunt says the individual was walking north of the town site, near an industrial complex.
“He actually was carrying his skateboard,” says Hunt. “So he used that skateboard in defence of himself and was able to hit the cougar with it, which stunned the animal, and he was able to get away.”
He adds the man reported the incident anonymously.
At this point there is no physical evidence and they are still trying to pinpoint the location.
“I think he was reluctant to contact us right away because he was afraid he’d be in trouble for striking an animal in a National Park,” Hunt explains. “But in that situation you’re in defence mode and that’s totally appropriate.”
Experts say they man did everything right in this case; if you’re approached by a cougar you should try to act as impressive and large as possible, stare it down and never turn your back on one.
Officials have closed down part of the north end of the town site, including either side of the Canadian Pacific Rail between Norquay and Compound Roads, while they hunt for the animal.
Hunt says this type of behaviour is fairly uncommon for the big cats.
“Cougars are generally very wary of people,” he says. “They can have their kittens any time of year so there is no seasonality to that, but if they’ve had a tough winter they’ll be looking for food this time of year as well.”
This is the second incident in less than a week after residents spotted a cougar stalking deer inside the town on May 17.
According to Parks Canada officials, they may have to euthanize the animal but they will only do so after trying to determine why it attacked.
