

The Canadian Press





BANFF, Alta. -- Parks Canada officials are advising people in Banff to be on alert after a man told them he fought off an attacking cougar with his skateboard.

Bill Hunt, the resource conservation manager for the Banff field unit, says the man was attacked Thursday and originally reported the incident anonymously.

But Hunt says officials tracked him down to get more information in order to find the cougar.

Hunt says the man told them he was listening to music through earbuds while walking north of the town, and that the cougar hit him from behind.

He says the man didn't suffer any injuries, but was reluctant to report the incident because he'd hit the cougar with his skateboard and worried he might have violated a wildlife law.

A wildlife bulletin issued by Parks Canada says there has also been a report of a cougar chasing a deer in the Banff townsite.

Hunt says officials are tracking the cougar and hope to capture it.

He says it may have to be destroyed since it poses such a high risk to humans.