Goodbye, Kiara: Burlington animal park shares news of death of rescue lioness

"We are heartbroken to announce that on Monday, January 13th, we said good-bye to Kiara Lioness," a representative writes.

Kiara was one of the 14 lions and tigers who came to the Animal Park at the Conservators Center in 2004 from a breeding facility in Ohio that was shut down for animal welfare act violations.

The center calls Kiara "a special case for us," as she was pregnant when she arrived.

She birthed the Animal Park's first lion cubs. The center calls her an "an excellent mother" who recognized the now-mature lions as her offspring.

She lived just across the path from the late Calvin and Matthai. Her two daughters, Katrina and Savik, still reside together at the Animal Park.

The center says that Kiara was a large lioness who wanted all the attention, especially if it involved treats. She spent a few years as an independent lioness, but when a neighboring lion, Ra, lost his brother, the center introduced him to Kiara.

The two hit it off almost immediately and were the centerpiece of the large animal side of the park.

"As we all adjust to life here at the Park without Kiara, we will be doing all we can to help Ra adjust as well," a park representative writes to Facebook. "We’ve reached out to those who spend the most time with him, and they will be visiting him often and showering him with attention and affection."

"We know Kiara touched many lives and created countless memories with all of those who loved her."