Kiana, as well as the other 1993 pup mates, Lucas, Lakota, and Mackenzie, were born between April 17 and April 20. The source facility referenced the pups as being from different litters. On May 7, 1993, the pups came under the care of the Center’s wolf care team and were raised as a social group of pup mates. From the time she was a pup, Kiana was known for reinforcing, but she never tested MacKenzie’s status. With all our “Gone but not Forgotten” wolves, we select one word or phrase that characterizes the most memories about their life. For Kiana, we chose “Classic” due to the “Classic Wolf Stare” witnessed by the many visitors to the Center’s exhibit windows. Kiana had some complications with a 1994 spay surgery. After this medical event, she required special daily enzymes and was fond of the special feedings to help her medical condition. Team members noted increased food possession behavior, and visitors often watched her dominate the weekly carcass feedings. Unfortunately, she had a short but impactful life, passing away on December 26, 1998. Visitors saw her acting normally before she appeared to have a seizure and lay down on a snowy path. Necropsy reports showed the possibility of a heart-related metabolic seizure.

The first wolf care memorial legacy fundraiser was in 1999 for Kiana. We often spoke about her love of food, so her memorial helped fund the carcass freezer we use today.