Final Report Released on Fatal 2010 Wolf Attack

Jay Barrett/KMXT

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game yesterday (Tuesday) released a final report on the fatal attack by wolves on a Chignik Lake teacher nearly two years ago. Thirty-two-year-old Candice Berner was attacked on March 8^th, 2010, as she was jogging near the village on the Alaska Peninsula. Subsequently, eight wolves were shot or trapped in the area. Wildlife biologist Lem Butler in Palmer, the principal investigator into the attack, says it appears that one of them was positively identified as an attacker.

— (Wolf Attack 1 45 sec "This report includes … of any other species.")

He said there was no evidence that the wolves attacked because they were starved or had rabies:

— (Wolf Attack 2 27 sec "These wolves were in excellent … a predatory attack.")

Butler pointed out that bears and moose pose more risk to people in Alaska, but that all wild animals can be unpredictable. He said there are resources on the Fish and Game web site about safety in wolf country:

— (Wolf Attack 3 37 sec "Generally we’re talking … whatever you can do.")

Candace Berner’s father Bob said he hopes that people will learn from his daughter’s death through an increased awareness of the potential danger and taking steps to increase safety.

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