A cougar attack in Banff National Park sends one person to the hospital

One person suffered minor injuries in a cougar attack in Banff National Park's popular wilderness area.

EMS crews responded to Rockbound Lake Trail around 11 a.m. Monday for reports of a man being attacked by a cougar, Alberta Health Services said.

“Upon arrival, EMS assumed care of one adult patient who was in the care of Parks Canada officials,” state education officer Stuart Brideau said in an emailed statement Tuesday.

“Fortunately, the patient suffered minor soft tissue injuries during the incident. They were taken to Canmore Hospital in stable and non-life-threatening conditions.”

RCMP told CTV News a man was injured after a cougar jumped on his shoulder during the attack. He grabbed the animal by the scruff of the neck and threw it.

Parks Canada posted a bulletin on Facebook late Monday to close the area for Castle Mountain Lookout and Silverton Falls, including Rockbound Lake, halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, about half of Alta.

“Parks Canada is asking park visitors to avoid these areas and to respect the closures to ensure the safety of the public and Parks Canada team members working in the area,” the statement said.

The bulletin did not explain why it was closed, and Parks Canada did not provide further details in an emailed statement Tuesday afternoon.

The federal agency said it will “continue to assess and investigate this current situation” and that the closures will be in place until further notice.

Cougars are natural predators in Banff National Park, but attacks on humans are rare.

There has been only one documented cougar attack in Alberta, also in Banff National Park.

Frances Frost, 30, was skiing on her own on an afternoon near Lake Minnewanka in January 2001 when she was attacked. Wildlife officials found a cougar on his body and immediately shot it.

Experts say the best defense in cougar country is to avoid encountering one.

If you do, they suggest facing a cougar, backing away slowly, trying to appear larger, and being aggressive by yelling, waving sticks, or throwing rocks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 13, 2024.

With files from CTV News Calgary