LEO III
The University of North Alabama boasts the only live Lion mascot in the country living on a college campus. Leo III, born on November 18, 2002, resides on the UNA campus in the 12,764 square-foot George H. Carroll Lion Habitat and carries on a tradition that has covered more than 40 years.
His sister Una, passed away earlier this year after also serving as a mascot at UNA since 2002.
On July 22, 1974, former UNA president Dr. Robert M. Guillot brought a 35-pound lion cub to the campus and Leo spent the next 14 years “roaring” the school to victory. The original Leo died on Jan. 20, 1988, and a great outpouring of support from the Shoals community resulted in Leo II being brought to UNA in July of 1988.
Leo II lived in the compound that once housed the original Leo and grew to a weight of more than 600 pounds at eleven years of age. In 1997, Leo II was selected as the nation's "Second Best Mascot" by Sports Illustrated. He died in February of 2000.
Approaching his 18th birthday, Leo III is exhibited seven days a week from approximately 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (weather conditions permitting).
In 2012 Leo III and UNA were ranked No. 1 of the 25 Best Real Animal Mascots in College Football by totalprosports.com. UNA was the only non-Division I institution to make the list, joining the company of competitive NCAA teams such as the Baylor Bears, LSU Tigers and Texas Longhorns.
All funds associated with the care and feeding of Leo III and UNA, the operation of their habitat, and the conduct of a related educational program are funded exclusively by charitable contributions.
Learn more about Leo III: https://leoanduna.com/
Watch Leo ive on the Lion Cam: https://leoanduna.com/lioncam/
