A schoolteacher from Pennsylvania, out jogging in the Alaska wilderness with a headset playing music... Dare I ask whether she was armed? No, sorry I asked, of course not. Click on the pdf, it is interesting.
~Basil
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Statement in final paragraph are misleading. Wolves are predators with
packs known to circle an individual, or single animals to track and
threateningly follow people who are walking. Basically they are hunting as
for prey. Excuses should not be made to sanitize them in comparison with
other wild animals as being no more dangerous. Wolves are hungers/predators.
Bears generally attack to protect their young as do moose. Moose are not
meat eating predators killing people for consumption. Clarice
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 7:22 PM
Subject: Wolf kills girl in Alaska 3-8-2010 confirmed by Fish and Game
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: December 6, 2011
CONTACT: Lem Butler, 907-861-2105
ADF&G Report Confirms 2010 Wolf Attack Fatality Juneau - Today, the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) released a report presenting findings
related to the March 8, 2010, wolf attack that killed 32-year-old Candice
Berner near the village of Chignik Lake on the Alaska Peninsula. The report
summarizes agency response and subsequent investigation.
"All lines of evidence are consistent with the conclusion that two or more
wolves killed Ms. Berner. The tragic encounter occurred as she jogged down
the road less than two miles from the village," said Lem Butler, principal
investigator for ADF&G, and one of four authors of the report.
ADF&G's investigation included on-scene evaluation of wolf tracks,
interviews of those first to arrive at the scene, collection of wolves from
the nearby area, and analyses of DNA and of other forensic evidence. Wolf
DNA was recovered from the victim and her clothing. DNA test results
provided by the U.S. Geological Survey lab in Anchorage indicated that two
to four wolves were most likely involved, excluded other animals, and
connected one of the wolves killed by the department to the incident.
The broader investigation indicated Ms. Berner was on the road, likely
jogging away from town, while the wolves traveled toward town by moving
along the road and openings in the brush. It could not be determined if this
was a surprise encounter for both Ms. Brenner and the wolves, but evidence
clearly shows a predatory response from the wolves.
ADF&G personnel and Alaska State Troopers shot two wolves and contracted
trappers later killed six more within 15 miles of the village. The wolves
were taken for public safety and for evaluation of biological factors that
may have been associated with the attack.
ADF&G veterinarian Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen performed necropsies and collected
samples for disease testing and DNA analyses on each of the eight wolves
taken. One wolf was clearly implicated in the attack through DNA evidence.
It was in apparent good health with very large fat reserves. All but two
wolves were in good to excellent condition. There was no DNA evidence
linking the two wolves in poor condition to the attack. Investigators found
no evidence in any of the wolves of contributing factors to the attack such
as rabies, disease, defense of food, or habituation to human food.
"We hope that the report's findings help bring closure to Ms. Berner's
family, to the community of Chignik Lake and others affected by this sad
incident." said Butler. He also pointed out that wolf attacks on humans are
rare and people should not be unnecessarily fearful. People should always
maintain a safe distance and healthy respect when encountering wolves or
other wild animals. Bear and moose encounters pose more risk to travelers in
Alaska than wolves, but all wild animals can be unpredictable. Bob Berner,
Candice Berner's father, said he hopes that people will learn from his
daughter's death through an increased awareness of the potential danger and
by taking steps to increase safety. "People should be mindful of the
potential harm that wolves and other wild animals are capable of
inflicting," he said.
The report, "Findings Related to the March 2010 Fatal Wolf Attack Near
Chignik Lake, Alaska" is available at:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/news/pdfs/wolfattackfatality.pdf.
Additional information on safety in wolf country is available at:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livewith.wolves.
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Author
Topic: When do wolves become dangerous to humans? (Read 36013 times)