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(Image source: The Vancouver Sun)
BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT
Forget traditional weapons — a man in Banff, Alberta used only a skateboard to fight off
a cougar attack.
"He was hit from behind, knocked to the ground, he elbowed back, didn't really know what was
happening, but swung his elbow back, hit the cat and then was able to use his skateboard
to defend himself and escape the area." (Via NTV)
He was walking on a dirt path, listening to music through earbuds and had his jacket hood
pulled over his head, which might have made him look enticing to the hungry cougar, according
to a park official. (Via WWMT)
Miraculously, he wasn't injured, and the area has been blocked off until further notice.
But the cougar is still on the loose, which has park officials nervous.
"Cougars are very wary of people. It's very uncommon to even see a cougar, and so when
we have an activity like this, it's very unusual and very much a concern to us."
(Via Global News)
"I have a couple of children that like to play in the backyard, and my dog. So now we
have to take extra precautions." (Via CBC)
Park staff say they may need to euthanize the animal if they find it, but they will
try to figure out why it attacked before it comes to that.