Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications
Photo by Jeremy Dwyer Lindgren and Dennis Dow Woodland Park Zoo
Kaya on the Living Northwest Trail in 2023 |
Life expectancy in human care is 11-12 years. At 13, Kaya was an old man wolf.
Woodland Park Zoo has been home to gray wolves for over 70 years. Kaya arrived at the zoo in 2010 with her three sisters, all 1 year old at the time. Only one wolf, Shira (SHY-lah), Kaya’s sister, remains in the zoo. Two of their sisters died in the last few years.
The Living Northwest Trail, where Sheila lives, is home to native Pacific Northwest wildlife, including the new Canadian lynx, brown bears, snowy owls, moose, otters and pond turtles.
“For over 70 years, gray wolves have remained a constant visitor favourite. It’s a huge loss for our zoo family. We will miss Kaya so much,” said Woodland Park Zoo zoologists. Employee Erin Sullivan said.
Beautiful Kaya, we miss you. |
As standard procedure, the zoo’s animal health team will perform a post-mortem examination to further diagnose factors that may have contributed to Kaya’s death.
At the global level, gray wolves are widespread. But in the United States, gray wolves are almost extinct. Thanks to teamwork between government agencies, nonprofits, indigenous peoples and individual landowners, gray wolves are making a comeback.
Living Northwest Trail’s 2014 Sister Pack |
Woodland Park Zoo supports the recovery of wolves throughout Washington State as part of the state’s natural communities and biocultural heritage. View the zoo’s policy statement on wolves issued in 2021 here.
Let’s keep our memories and pay tribute to Kaya Facebook, Instagram again twitter Posts can also:
- Adopt a gray wolf at the zoo zoo parent This program supports the animal management, education, and wildlife conservation efforts of zoos in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
- For more information on how to advocate and coexist with Northwest carnivores, please visit: zoo.org/nw/carnivores
- consider becoming monthly donor. Monthly gifts support Woodland Park Zoo’s more than 800 animals, connect with millions of visitors each year, and educate, engage, and inspire environmental activism. Share the stories of these animals and the survival threats they face, and help us provide them with the best possible quality of life.