Woodland Park Zoo is mourning the loss of a female grey wolf named Kaya, who died at age 13 while under anesthesia for a diagnostic procedure at the Seattle-based zoo. Kaya arrived at the zoo in 2010 with three sisters, two of whom passed away over the past few years. The zoo’s animal health team will perform a postmortem exam to further diagnose factors that may have contributed to Kaya’s death. Woodland Park Zoo has been home to grey wolves for over 70 years. Wolves are a classic example of both a recovery species and a coexistence species in Washington state.
Goodbye to our beautiful gray wolf Kaya
A gorgeous gray wolf, Kaya, died peacefully on June 3rd, 2021. Kaya was an integral part of the Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation and was loved and admired by everyone who knew her.
Early life and arrival at Packard Campus
Kaya was born on April 17th, 2006, at the Wildlife Science Center in Minnesota. When she was 2 years old, she was transferred to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., in 2010; she moved to the Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia.
Life at Packard Campus
At Packard Campus, Kaya lived in a spacious outdoor habitat with a large pond, plenty of trees, and a cozy shelter where she could rest. She formed a close bond with her caregivers and was known for her intelligence, curiosity, and playful nature.
Kaya was instrumental in educational outreach programs at Packard Campus, where she helped educate the public about the importance of wolf conservation and the vital role wolves play in the ecosystem.
Illness and farewell
In recent months, Kaya’s health has been declining due to old age. Despite the medical attention she received, her condition continued to worsen, and her caretakers knew it was time to let her go.
Her caretakers shared their sorrow over her loss, calling Kaya a beautiful soul who had touched the hearts of all who knew her. They also expressed gratitude for the joy and wonder she had brought them.
Kaya’s legacy
Kaya’s passing is a reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving endangered wildlife like gray wolves. They are an essential part of our planet’s ecosystem and are crucial in maintaining balance and harmony.
Kaya’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew her and in the work of organizations dedicated to saving endangered species. We will never forget her beauty, grace, and spirit, and we are grateful for our time with her. Goodbye, Kaya, and thank you for being a part of our lives.
