Tourists Melissa and Jackson Brandts were using a tripod to take a photo of themselves in Banff in late May when a cheeky, curious squirrel popped into the shot just as the camera was snapping the picture. The image has gone viral since it appeared on National Geographic's website on Aug. 7. (Melissa Brandts)

A story by a well-known U.S. TV reporter on the squirrel that accidentally had its picture taken near Banff has touched off a few laughs at Alberta Tourism.

CNN's Jeanne Moos mentioned in a recent story about the now internet-famous rodent that the Rocky Mountain resort town is in B.C., not Alberta.

However, Kurt Schroeder, a marketing official with the Banff Lake Louise tourism branch, said he's determined to laugh off the gaffe.

"We're a very forgiving crew here. As Canadians, we can't help ourselves — we're just humble like that," he said.

"Really, quite frankly, I got a bit of a chuckle out of it. This is such a fun story and this is a time where fun is especially welcomed."

Melissa and Jackson Brandts, tourists from Minnesota, were using a tripod to take a photo of themselves in front of Lake Minnewanka in late May when the curious squirrel popped into the shot just as the camera was snapping the picture. The image has gone viral since it appeared on National Geographic's website on Aug. 7.

Schroeder said no one from his office has called CNN to point out the geographical mix-up.

"We love the CNN story and we love every other story like it and of its kind. As far as we're concerned, we really don't mind the geographical misspeak there.

"It would have been nice if they'd gotten it straight for Alberta, for all of our friends in Alberta. But let's face it, there's only one Banff in Canada."

With files from The Canadian Press