University of North Alabama mascot lion Leo III dies [Video]

According to the university, Leo III and his sister Una were born Nov. 18, 2002, at a wildlife refuge in New Hampshire.

They flew to UNA when they were six weeks old in a Learjet donated by a UNA supporter. Leo III weighed nine pounds when he arrived on campus. Upon his death, he weighed 500 pounds.

Leo lived in the school’s $1.3 million lion habitat, built in 2002. It has both indoor and outdoor areas for lions, along with a kitchen and service areas for the caretakers.

In 2012, Leo III and Una were ranked No. 1 of the 25 Best Real Animal Mascots in College Football by totalprosports.com, with UNA being the only non-Division I institution to make the list.

Una died in the summer of 2020.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreementand agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal …