"99 percent" Chance Wolves Killed Teacher

The body of 32-year-old Candice Berner was discovered about 6:30pm Monday just outside the village of Chignik Lake, a small community on the peninsula of about a 100 people. It appears she was killed by wolves.

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By Andrea Gusty

Story Created: Feb 21, 2011 at 10:07 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2011 at 10:07 PM AKDT

 Original Article Posted March 9,2010 

 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVA-CBS 11 News) It appears a woman was killed by wolves on the Alaska Peninsula.

The body of 32-year-old Candice Berner was discovered about 6:30pm Monday just outside the village of Chignik Lake, a small community on the peninsula of about a 100 people.

State troopers and Fish & Game officials from King Salmon spent much of the day Tuesday investigating the incident. According to a press release sent by State Trooper spokesperson Meg Peters, the circumstances surrounding her death are under investigation.

State Troopers told Berner's employer, Lake & Peninsula School District, they are "99 percent sure" wolves killed her.

Berner worked as a Special Education teacher for the Lake & Peninsula School District. Based in Perryville, Berner traveled from village to village teaching within the district. She was in Chignik Lake to help teach the 23 students there when she was killed.

"There is a healthy population of wolves there," says Lake & Peninsula School District Chief Operating Officer Rick Luthi. "As snow gets deeper, as resources get more scarce, and it's not uncommon for wolves to come into the edges of communities to look for food sources."

Candice Berner was an avid runner. Those who knew her say she was training for distance races this summer, which could explain why she was out on a 7-mile strip of road just outside Chignik Lake when she died.

"We assume she was out for a run," says Luthi, "It was her habit to do that."

 

Berner was originally from Pennsylvania. She only started working in the Alaska Peninsula area this fall. In the short time she worked with kids there, officials say she made a big impact.

District officials are working to help students and staff cope with her loss. "Our communities are so small, so we do believe it is appropriate to provide support because we are a place where our kids can come and feel safe," explains Luthi.

Deadly wolf attacks are uncommon in Alaska. According to residents in the area, the wolves have had an increasingly difficult time this year finding food. Now, they want to make sure a deadly wolf attack does not happen again.

"All of our communities will, if its appropriate, will heighten their awareness and make sure that the children are protected and safe," says Luthi.

A memorial service is being arranged for Candice Berger in Perryville.

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