Lakota Wolf Preserve announced the death of one of its elder wolves, Kayla, who lived at the preserve with her brother, Tikaani. Kayla was 14-and-a-half years old.
Around 10 years ago, Kayla’s back legs became paralyzed unexpectedly, according to the preserve. Veterinarians suspected it was due to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition where the immune system mistakenly targets healthy nerves, sometimes leading to paralysis.
Although veterinarians told the preserve Kayla might never walk again, the staff decided to bring in an acupuncturist to treat her and she regained feeling in all but one leg, which they eventually determined needed to be amputated.
After Kayla had her surgery, Becky Mace, who runs the preserve with Jim Stein, spent several nights in Kayla’s enclosure to keep an eye on her as the wolf recovered.
“She was one of the sweetest wolves we have had,” Jim Stein, who runs the preserve with Becky Mace. “After her surgery when Becky would sleep with her at the preserve, Kayla would steal Becky’s pillow during the night and lay on it and snored very loud.”
The non-profit is located in the mountains of the Delaware Water Gap in Warren County. Stein and Mace opened it in 1998 to care for, and educate, the public about wolves, bobcats, foxes and lynx. It is the largest natural habitat animal preserve with these animals in the Northeast, according to the preserve’s website.
“Goodbye sweet, strong, beautiful girl, we will miss you forever. Run free with the others,” Lakota Wolf Preserve posted on Facebook.
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Paige Britt may be reached at pbritt@njadvancemedia.com.
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