Cougar warning issued after elk killed in Banff campground: Parks Canada

A cougar is seen in a file photo. (Shutterstock.com)

Parks Canada has issued a warning for a campground in Banff due to a cougar frequenting the area.

Officials sent out the warning for Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds and the surrounding area on Wednesday evening.

In a statement Thursday, Parks Canada said staff discovered the carcass of a young elk that had been killed by a cougar in the Tunnel Mountain Village 2 campground on Wednesday morning.

The warning includes all trails, facilities and campgrounds within the Tunnel Mountain area and along the Tunnel Mountain bench.

To avoid encounters with cougars, Parks Canada encourages visitors to:

If you encounter a cougar, Parks Canada said to not approach the animal, try to make yourself appear bigger, immediately pick up small children and be aggressive by shouting, waving sticks or throwing rocks.

Anyone who sees a cougar or fresh signs of carnivore activity is asked to leave the area immediately and call Banff park dispatch at 403-762-1470.