Leo III

UNA once again boasts the only live Lion mascot in the country living on campus. 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. Leo III and Una, born on November 18, 2002, and resided on the campus in the 12,764 square-foot George H. Carroll Lion Habitat. Una passed away in June of 2020 after a brief illness. Approaching his 10th birthday, Leo III is exhibited seven days a week from approximately 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (weather conditions permitting), unless they are appearing in local venues. All funds associated with the care and feeding of Leo III, the operation of his habitat, and the conduct of a related educational program are funded exclusively by charitable contributions.