Alaska State Troopers have just determined that, Candice Berner, was killed by animal predation. If you prefer official terms, you could say, she died from injuries sustained in an animal attack (via ANI Alaska News).
According to the Anchorage Daily News, the young teacher was jogging on a rural road while listening to her iPod when the wolves attacked. Snowmobilers found a blood trail and drag marks that led to the body later that evening on March 8th. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Candice’s family and friends during this tragic event.
Timber Wolf Photo - Public Domain From Wikipedia
What seems odd to me about this event is the way that some news reports have been trying to ‘play down’ the wolves’ involvement in this attack. Take the headline from MSNBC, Alaska teacher found dead; wolves to blame? Then, the second line uses the wording “...appears to be attacked…” as if the ‘obvious’ (like wolf tracks surrounding the body) is not an appropriate clue. When I originally Googled the topic, it sure appeared that many news flashes were downgrading the fact that nature sometimes has a dark side. More often than admitted, nature’s top predators don’t share the ‘lets all live at peace’ propaganda that some animal right’s groups spew.
A headline from the Guardian in the UK states this: Autopsy – Animal fatally mauled teacher in Alaska
Is there an elephant in the room?
It’s not like there were moose, bear, or poodle tracks around the body.
Some articles I read were quick to point out that there have been very few documented wolf attacks in North America. What a relief! NOT really.
Actually, this phrase is a slight, innocent half-truth. To have a documented wolf attack,
- The wolf has to be killed, examined and found to be healthy.
- It must be proven that the wolf was never kept in captivity in its entire life.
- There must be eyewitnesses to the attack.
- The person must die from their wounds (bites are generally not considered attacks according to the biologists).
To this point, here is an extensive list of ‘non-documented’ wolf attacks that don’t fit into the ‘official classification’ system I just listed. It was collected by, T.R. Mader, of the Abundant Wildlife Society of North America.
Am I trying to invoke a revolt against the wolf and begin its total annihilation as a species?
No.
Let’s just respect and admit the fact that wild animals, especially predators like the wolf, will attack and kill humans. This risk is also elevated when predator populations are left unchecked in areas where humans and wildlife share space.
