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Wild Wolves Kill Alaskan Woman
March 21st, 2010 | 9 Comments » 
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The following is a timeline piece as reported by the Alaska Department of Game And Fish.
3-12-10: ADF&G Responds to Chignik Lake Fatality:
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) is continuing response efforts following yesterday’s Department of Public Safety investigation report that Candice Berner’s fatality was caused by animal attack, most likely wolves.
An ADF&G representative arrived in Chignik Lake yesterday and proceeded to inspect the fatality site and obtain local information regarding recent wolf behavior in the area. He will remain on site for the next few days.
We are currently responding to the situation with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers and obtaining local knowledge regarding behavior patterns of wolves in the area.
Local residents report nightly sightings of wolves in the area. It has been determined that any wolves at or near the fatality site are to be considered an immediate threat to human safety. We are attempting to discern the number of wolves in the area, obtain biological samples of local wolves, and identify the offenders of the fatality. Those assisting with these efforts have been briefed on how to best assist with the collection of biological data.
ADF&G Commissioner Denby Lloyd indicated that the department is fully engaged and stated: “We are saddened by this tragedy for the family and the community, and will be doing all we can to address the situation and community concerns.”
A public meeting was held in the area last night. Representatives of both the Alaska State Troopers and ADF&G were on hand to exchange information and respond to public concerns.
3-16-10: Tests to begin on wolves taken from Chignik Lake Village:
Two wolves were taken yesterday through Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) aerial response efforts by department personnel in the Village of Chignik Lake. The wolves match descriptions of those seen at the recent fatality site of Candice Berner. One wolf was lighter than the other, with one wolf appearing to be in better shape than the other. They were taken in the Chignik drainage. No fresh wolf tracks had been reported near town. Ground efforts by local hunters had remained unsuccessful yesterday due to terrain and conditions. The department is operating under the Commissioner’s authority for management, research, and public safety while ground efforts continue by local hunters. ADF&G efforts did not conclude yesterday and were resumed today.
Both wolves are currently being flown to King Salmon and will then be transported to State Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen. Dr. Beckmen will then transport the specimens to the Alaska State Virology Lab to be tested for rabies through a coordinated effort between ADF&G and Public Health. Microbiologists at the Alaska Virology Laboratory in Fairbanks, which is operated through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health, will study the animals’ brains to look for rabies. Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted from rabid animals to either other animals or people through primarily bite wounds. The virus attacks the central nervous system; without prompt treatment, rabies is fatal. Rabies is known to be consistently present in foxes, and episodically present in wolves in the Chignik Lake area.
The wolves will also undergo complete necropsy with forensic examination and genetic sampling to determine if these wolves can be linked to the recent fatality.
Any other biological information obtained from these specimens will useful in determining the overall condition of the wolves associated with the recent fatality and the general condition of wolves in the area.
3-17-10: ADF&G Chignik Lake Update:
Two days of searching the Chignik drainage for wolves and/or wolf sign has resulted in the collection of two wolves that match the description of the wolves that killed Candice Berner. No other wolf tracks or wolf sign were identified in the area despite of relatively good search conditions and the persistent efforts of a very experienced crew. Recent storm activity produced fresh snow for the response crew to search and monitor the entire Chignik Drainage and sections of the Pacific coastline that were connected to the Chignik Drainage by low passes. Track sightability and identification were excellent during the majority of the search period.
On March 15, ADFG staff killed 2 wolves in the Chignik Drainage approximately 5 miles west of Chignik Lake. The wolves killed match the description of the wolves that killed Candice Berner on March 8. Many witnesses stated that there were 2 sets of wolf tracks on the road where Candice was found. Two wolves were observed that evening (one a light grey and the other a dark gray), and the wolves were described as approximately the same size and in poor condition. Tracks at the scene suggested that one wolf track was larger than the other.
ADF&G Biologist Lem Butler stated: “Based on statements of eye-witness observers, observations made at the location of Candice Berner’s death, physical characteristics of the two wolves killed, and the proximity of the two wolves to the location of Candice Berner’s death, I conclude that it is highly likely that these wolves killed Candice Berner.”
Mr. Butler also stated: “After conducting a 2 day search for other wolf sign and finding none, I also conclude that there is a low likelihood of finding additional wolves in the near future if the search is continued.”
ADF&G will discontinue the current search while maintaining an elevated vigilance for wolf activity in the Chignik Lake area. Department staff will remain in close contact with local residents to monitor wolf sightings and activities in the Chignik Lake area, and may conduct a second search of the area in early April if further action is warranted.
Note: Department staff will be in the area conducting capture and survey work during early April. Given the availability of experienced staff and suitable aircraft, a secondary search of the Chignik Lake area can be conducted at minimal cost.
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March 22nd, 2010 at 1:16 am
Interesting determination regarding the alleged offending wolves. I’m not an animal rights radical or anything but find it difficult at best to grasp the percentage of probability that these two wolves were guilty as charged with the absence of evidence. Mere testimony from panicked or affected persons is typically rendered inadequate due to personal influence. Regardless my sympathy rests with the victim and her family. Not the wolves.
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
Dear Garrison,
Regardless of the “absence of evidence” (which is forthcoming, pending the findings of Dr. Beckmen), it is in fact highly unlikely (i.e., low probability) that these wolves are NOT the offenders given the behaviour of wolves (i.e., territory size), the physical description of these two individuals (not just colour, but poor body condition) and the magnitude of the search (with fresh snow on the ground) conducted following the incident that turned up no other sign. Wolves may be illusive, but their tracks are not hard to see.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I had heard about this somewhere else and forgot about it until I read it here. what a tragedy. i have never heard of wolf attacking people so it must be rare to happen,. i think the wolves probably got a bad name.
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I find it interesting that they believe only two wolves are the blame. When was the last time you heard of a pack of wolves with only two animals. It seems reasonable that if two members of the pack killed a human then the others might also do the same. odd to think that they have just decided at that instance that people would be easy meals.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Wolves are like dogs in Alaska you see them often. Any wolf near a town should be shot. it’s like a bear. you dont let them wander into a town and hope for the best. you chase them off every chance you get. no different for the wolves.
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
pure specualtion that this was the wolf or wolves that killed the woman and that the problem was solved. just like any other witch hunt the villagers wont be happy until someone or somethign is served up for sacrifice. let’s just shoot anything like bears, wolves, moose, or deer because they could also hurt or kill someone in the future. get it over with because thats what some people need to feel safe.
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
maybe this is just the result of poor management of the animal. Like giving more wolf hunting permits in an area that is popular rather than needed. I guess it really didnt matter either way since two more permits, for the heads of these wolves, were automatically created. My deepest respects for the family of the victim.
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Poor management of the animal leads to the death of the woman? Come on. You are obviously on the edge of showing your cards as being those from an animal rights activist who will look for any leverage to justify your theory that animals should just be left alone. That’s exactly the types of groups and people who make it difficult for experts to follow through with management plans because the opposition is throwing up roadblocks at every corner.
March 29th, 2010 at 10:28 am
These Wolves were likely the culprits in the offense. If tracking conditions were good (which it sounds like they were), and the witnesses at the site located 2 sets of tracks (probably police or investigators), then there were only 2 wolves involved. I know that may seem unlikely, but it is a known fact that this time of year there will be cast-out wolves roaming looking for a new living due to breeding, re-establishment of dominance, etc.
If they were kicked out of a pack, possibly rabid, and hungry – they are not a pair to be taken lightly. They now know that people are slow, and taste good. The only answer is to destroy them or let some HSUS activist keep them in their living room. People – these are not pets and they are not something you want in your back yard.
That poor woman died a horrible blood-thirsty death at the hands of competitiors for the top of the food chain. I feel for her and her family, and I do not feel for the wolves involved. I agree that these are beautiful animals only trying to make a living in their environment. It is God’s way, and it is not always pretty. If we are to retain our hold on the top of the food chain, we need to keep these animals in check. If you don’t believe we should do that, then hang a piece of road kill around your neck, strip naked, and go for a hike in the Alaskan wilderness and don’t waste your valuable time blogging. To call this a witch hunt is completely illogical and ridiculous.
If the wildlife managers are saying they have removed all likely offenders, then believe me – they have. This was a “license” to kill every wolf in the area, and if they are stopping at 2, then they know there were no other likely accomplises. I don’t want to see them made extinct (that is irresponsible as managers of the environment), but we need to make them huntable, scared of humans, and reduced to manageable numbers. We were meant to hunt them just as they are meant to hunt rabbits and deer. If you mess with that equasion, they start hunting us, and they will have the upper hand on a single human without a weapon (and maybe even with one).
Anyone who suggests that this woman and her family are not victims in this event is sick and twisted. Anyone who thinks these wolves are innocent are nearly as bad. Is is plausible that they were shot by mistaken identity? Sure, but that is only reason to keep the hunt up, not to feel bad for the casualties. This event will not bring about the extinction of wolves, or even affect their “families”, but it will deeply scar the victims family and friends for decades to come.
God bless and protect Candace!