Answers from Kopa's creator 

So, TLK:6NA came out before TLK? Kopa wasen't even considered!

That's true.

Mr. Simmons was uncertain of the date the books were published, but his memory is the most official source I have been able to draw out about it. But Kopa most certainly was thought up before the film was even done and the film makiers most certainly had nothing to do with Kopa, and apparently didn't care to have, as they didn't refer to the books but said the cub is Fluffy and then later Kiara. Yep.

But as Mr. Simmons pointed out, it's just the way movie business usually is. The movies and books are meant to form two seperate entities. In this case, numerous different entities as the book universe itself does not form one.

True, Kopa does not exist but I don't care, I came to this club and joined it. I wouldn't even think of quitting it just because the character doesn't exist. I don't mean like you see the characters in actual life, but, just for who's actually seen in the movies. Like, Malka, Mheetu, Kula, Chumvi and Tama... yeah, I joined that club too. So there are pretty much still gonna be Kopa fans.

@ Creatanimal:

And no one's ever said there isn't or shoulnd't be. I posted this e-mail sinply because it's facts from the topic character's creator, on a widely debated matter.

Whatever.