BC

A spokesman for BC's conservation service says a Vancouver Island man has walked away from a cougar attack with torn pants, but no major injuries.

Insp. Ben York says the incident occurred north of Tofino, in the community of Ahousat, in the late afternoon, or early evening, Tuesday.

York says the man was attacked while climbing onto an excavator.

A conservation officer arrived hours later and York says he was joined by four officers and a volunteer houndsman on Wednesday morning.

York says the team was unable to pick up a scent trail and called off the search by the afternoon.

Earlier this summer, conservation officers shot and killed cougars after attacks on a boy near Port Alberni, and a woman in Trail.