Denali was one of the founder wolves of the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. At the age of six weeks old, vets confirmed that Denali had severe eyesight problems. This was an inoperable condition which limited his vision. Unfortunately his condition was a factor influencing his pack mates, Kodiak and Kenai who joined him in 1994, to bully him.

Following an attack by Kenai, and seemingly making a full recovery, he suffered recurring pain and ended up inflicting terrible self-mutilation injuries on his hind legs. This and an issue concerning a deformed pelvic girdle resulted in Denali being put to sleep in 1997.