Sad news out of AK


http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-wolf-attack13-2010mar13,0,4711796.story?track=rss

Tragic..But jogging alone in the Alaskan Wilderness with her IPOD on shows how naive she was.

Yikes, the article sounds like its out of a movie. All I know is this summer in the bush I better not see any wolves.

Bears all over that place, can't believe some of the locals didn't warn her.


http://www.biggamehunt.net/stories/Trophy_Brown_Bear_for_the_Determined_Hunter_10100612.html

Update from AK DFG


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-witne
> ss observers, observations made at the location of Candice Berner's
> death, physical characteristics of the two wolves killed, and the pr
> oximity of the two wolves to the location of Candice Berner's death,
> I conclude that it is highly likely that these wolves killed Candic
> e Berner.”
>
> Mr. Butler also stated: “After conducting a 2 day search for other w
> olf sign and finding none, I also conclude that there is a low likel
> ihood 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.

Dang, I was fishing there a couple of years ago.
Pretty desolate area.

fp

Not many bears out this time of year...

Tragic story for both human and animals, I agree with SBD she was definately niave about the wilderness and animals. One must remember when your in alaska, wilderness areas or the ocean your just part of the food chain.

Even a vigilent person wouldn't expect to be attacked by wolves. And with bears sleeping, a grouchy moose is the most dangerous wildlife I'd expect to encounter. Sometimes paying attention isn't enough.

Sg

Another update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2010
>
> Contact: Ann Potempa, (907) 269-7957, Cell (907) 230-4001, ann.potempa@alaska.gov
> Sarana Schell, (907) 269-8041, Cell (907) 398-1480, sarana.schell@alaska.gov
>
> Wolves killed near Village of Chignik Lake did not have rabies
> Test results returned Thursday at Department of Health and Social
> Services Virology Lab
> (Anchorage, AK) — The two wolves shot and killed near the village of
> Chignik Lake earlier this week did not have rabies, according to te
> st results reported today by the Alaska Department of Health and Soc
> ial Services.
> The wolves were killed Monday as part of aerial response efforts by
> the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. According to an earlier report
> by Fish & Game, the wolves matched descriptions of those seen at the
> site where a woman was recently killed in Chignik Lake. The Alaska
> Department of Fish & Game announced Wednesday that it had
> discontinued its search for additional wolves.
> The wolves were flown to Fairbanks this week to be studied by the
> state wildlife veterinarian and by microbiologists at the Alaska
> State Virology Laboratory, operated by Health and Social Services.
> Microbiologists studied the brains of the wolves to look for rabies.
> Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted from rabid animals to
> either other animals or people, primarily through bite wounds. The
> virus attacks the central nervous system; without prompt treatment,
> rabies is fatal. More information about rabies is available at http://www.epi.alaska.gov/id/rabies/default.htm
> .
> “Rabies remains a risk to both people and animals living in the Alas
> ka Peninsula, as well as in other parts of northern and western Alas
> ka where rabies is known to exist,” said Louisa Castrodale, veterina
> rian and epidemiologist with the Department of Health and Social Ser
> vices.
> “Animals may bite people when they are sick,” Castrodale said.
> “That said, animals also may bite when they are not sick, but are st
> artled, hungry or being protective of other animals around them. Peo
> ple who are bitten by an animal should promptly report the bite to a
> local health official. People who see animals acting abnormally sho
> uld report that behavior to a local wildlife or public safety offici
> al.”
> The Department of Fish & Game is testing the wolves for additional
> diseases, including the distemper virus. Those test results are not
> yet available.