A mountain lion killed a cross-country skier in Canada's Banff National Park in January. The victim, a 30-year-old woman, was skiing near Lake Minnewanka, about 6 miles outside the town of Banff, when she was attacked. Park wardens shot the 132-pound cat, which appeared to be in excellent health, as it stood over the woman's body. Tracks indicated that it had been stalking the victim, who may not have known of its presence until it launched the fatal attack.

Cougars feed mostly on deer and elk, but a hungry cat will prey on any animal that is convenient.

According to lion expert Keith Aune of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, most aggressive lion encounters with humans occur during summer and fall months, when game is scattered and difficult for lions to find. Canadian wardens surmised that one possible reason for the January encounter was that a pack of wolves had settled in the area, and lions were coming closer to town to avoid competition and feed on wintering elk. The fatality, the first ever recorded in Alberta, is the 16th this century in North America‹three-quarters of which have occurred in the last 25 years. About 14 people are mauled by lions each year in Canada and the western United States.