Update: Officials 'Close To Certain' Wolves Killed Alaskan Teacher

Autopsy reveals likely second documented wolf attack in North America

Sad news: Alaska state troopers and medical examiners confirmed today that teacher Candice Berner was killed on Monday by a predatory animal attack, most likely perpetrated by wolves. State wildlife authorities are headed to the region in an attempt to capture or kill the animals responsible.

In publishing their conclusions, investigators cite the preponderance of wolf tracks and activity around Chignik Lake, and note that the bite marks occurred while the victim was alive. The method of attack is consistent with wolf predation in large mammals.

"She was bleeding as she was being moved, being drug, and the damage to the throat," (Alaska troopers director Col. Audie) Holloway said. "The medical examiner concluded that she wasn't killed by any other method and that the damage to the throat was severe. There were animal bite marks on the throat.
"Wolves, just like big cats, usually attack the wind pipe area and try to control the victim that way."

Wildlife officials hope to obtain wolf DNA to both help identify the culprits and to help study the incident. They think the victim, who was running at the time, might've triggered a prey response in two or three wolves, who could've stalked her unnoticed, as she listened to her iPod. She didn't go quietly: There was a chase and subsequent struggle that lasted 150 feet before the wolves dragged Berner off the trail.

This is only the second recorded human fatality by wolves in North America; the first, in Saskatchewan, was controversial, with many experts believing the guilty party to be a black bear.

Berner's father, Bob, says he doesn't bear any ill will toward wolves.

"They're just doing what wolves do," Berner said. "Their nature happened to kill my daughter, but I don't have any anger towards wolves."

The same can't be said for Chignik Lake residents, who now avoid walking alone and escort their children to school. Get ready: If we know anything about wolves, it's that this is just the first chapter in a whole new saga of wolf controversy in Alaska.

—Ted Alvarez

via ADN

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READERS COMMENTS

When wolves first started showing up on my property, I got concerned, researched, and made my mind up not to advocate for the wolve any more, however, all the experts and non rural people attacked me for my views, even tho I have personally dealt with wolves to close for ten years. I did not feel safe at night in my own yard. But they said they are just as afraid of you as you are them, and that a healthy wolf has never killed a human or would, in North America. Now three people confirmed dead due to wolves!!! Now what, are people going to get it? Do not go outside without some type of protection in wolf country with will soon be everywhere due to the past laws.
Posted: Jun 15, 2010 Anonymous

First I want to point out I am a avid outdoors men, with that I will also say the only animal in the wood that scares me are other people, because they often have no respect for the wilderness and the life in it, even other humans. I am respect the wilderness and the things in it. Especially the "woodsman, hunter,etc etc" that thinks they own the woods. I have been shot at by a hiker with a pistol because he thought I might be a bear, a proud NRA member who said the laws banning guns on state lands was wrong. Nature is not out to get you but if you treat it the way most people treat things it will hurt you. You respect it it will respect you. Also people will now jump on the band wagon that wolves hunt and kill humans. THAT IS FALSE....One person posted that when they were more populous they did. Wrong. Wolves attack for very few reasons. Protection of young just like most humans, when cornered or scared, just like humans, when sick or ill and not able to think correctly (IE RABIES), also like humans. Pepper spray/bear spray would be more of a wise choice for those jogging biking etc. It is safer easier to use and less likely to kill your yourself of some one else. And they did not mention this other then to say her jogging triggered the wolf agression, it may have also been the music on her ipod or her clothes, or perfume, deordant. The other point is if a animal does attack you, running is a death warrant, I strong show of force back at the animal using shouting, sray, or a stick/staff will drive off most animals.
The bad thing is it is the wolves being killed and yet it is the hunters and others depeteing the wolves food supply, and hunting range that played the biggest factor in this and other tragic encounters with wild animals....
Posted: Apr 09, 2010 Johnny

I'm an environmentalist, a backpacker, I'm a lifelong menber of the NRA, and I carry a 45 caliber revolver when I'm in the wilderness. Ah, a realist! We can coexist, but if I'm attacked, I'll be the one coming out a winner.
Posted: Mar 24, 2010 Skykomish

As to WAM's comment not everyone can go backpacking every week. Some "backpackers have jobs and lives. I for one have been packing for 35 years, "once or twice a year", and I think I can find my way around in the mountains, woods or the desert just fine without a trail or signs to guide me! If you are going to be out there you must accept the fact that the worst could happen at all times! It is a sad, sad thing that happen to this woman. The fact remains that apperently she had forgot where she was. I don't care where you live in Alaska, you should always be looking over your shoulder if you are on a trail and certainly not be alone!
Posted: Mar 21, 2010 Headymusk

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Posted: Mar 20, 2010 Jeep Window Regulator

I know and have met many people that like to tell others what to do. Most people who want to protect wildlife and land never use it or even step foot on it. They see it in magazines or at 70mph. They do not truly understand and definitely do not pay the price for their beliefs. Many environmental groups want to tell others what to do but not fund the results. It is easy when you don�t have to foot the bill or do the work. No offense but if you buy the magazine/gear and walk a short distance from the car once every year or two, you are not a backpacker. And you certainly do not understand nature. No matter what an overpaid, undereducated actor was paid to tell you. Most of the time the people that live in an area know what is right. So I believe it is best to let the people of Alaska, and more to the point the people of the community affected, decide what is best.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 WAM

In this day and age, after decades of peace and prosperity for so many Americans, we have become soft, believing that nature is warm, cute and cuddly. It is not. Nature wants to kill you. Be prepared. Thank goodness for the 2nd amendment.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 diehard backpacker

On the subject of 454/500 S&W revolvers, those are weapons only suitable for experienced shooters who can handle the very considerable recoil generated by that category of handgun. they would be your best bet in a handgun for big bear defense, but overkill for wolf or puma. A 44 mag is the limit of controllability for most people, and a .357 would suffice in the lower 48 except for griz. Bur I was wondering how effective bear spray would be against wolves. I presume it would work, but I don't have any experience with the stuff, and presumptions are dangerous.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 WildernessMonk

Please remember too, everyone. in the book of Matthew the scriptures tell us human beings are much more important than other animals. this i direct mostlly to the bush huggers. and libs.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 Doug

a backpacker should live by the boy scout motto too. which is if u dont know, BE PREPARED. I carry my 357 mag with me backpacking, come on folks wise up and be prepared, better to have a gun and not need it, than need it and not have it, i know backpacker mag is awfully liberal, but i love the mag, just like to see some more common sense appraches to backwoods protection.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 Doug

When will people start carrying firearms with them in areas such as this? A firearm may have saved her life.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 Doug

454 CASUL(SP)- CARRIED ON THE HIP - WORKS ON BEARS TOO--PROBLEM SOLVED.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 WINDCHASER

Way to quote wikipedia. The easiest to access source of misinformation ever. You clearly have done your research and have your facts straight. sigh.
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 David

What a way to go!
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 Jim in Las Vegas

The article is not correct that this is the first or even the second fatal wolf attack in North America. (The article waffles on this point.) There have been only a few lately, but when wolves were plentiful, there were frequent fatal encounters with wolves. We are food to them; they are not dogs. Stop pandering to the tree (and wolf) huggers and get your facts straight. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_attacks_on_humans#List_of_fatal_wolf_attacks
Posted: Mar 19, 2010 Reader