Introducing: Shasta VII

Meet the University of Houston family’s newest, cutest and most ferocious representatives.

By Maria Hieber

Shasta VII, the University of Houston’s new live mascot, and his brother, Louie, are the newest UH ambassadors.

Two cougar cubs have taken the city of Houston by storm with their undeniably adorable furry faces and inspiring resilience. Shasta VII, the University of Houston’s new live mascot, and brother Louie are the University’s newest ambassadors at the Houston Zoo cougar exhibit—a designation previously held by the beloved Shasta VI and Haley.

Before the cubs found their place in the UH family, they had a rather lonely start.

A rancher discovered the orphaned pair on his property in Washington state during a dark, damp day last October. It looked unlikely that the cubs, estimated to be only 4 weeks old at the time, would have survived on their own.

The cubs were flown to the Houston Zoo for medical care and a new home. As part of the UH Alumni Association’s partnership with the zoo, Shasta VII and Louis were named successors to Shasta VI and his companion, Haley, who both died last year.

The cubs made their public debut at the zoo in February and are busy learning what it means to be a UH Cougar. Like any sibling pair, the two have shown unique personalities, with Shasta VII rising as a natural leader protective of his smaller brother and often sleeping with a paw over Louie.

Shasta has already shown traits—like curiosity, courage and resilience—that embody the UH spirit. The growing brothers are inseparable and quickly adapting to the time-honored responsibility of representing the University.

“The cougars are adorable and look approachable; however, they are ferocious,” UH President Renu Khator said at the cubs’ debut. “Their tenacity and determination definitely represent Cougar spirit, and we are delighted to have them in our family.”

UH students receive free admission to the zoo, where guests can observe Shasta VII and Louie in their enclosure across from the black bears.