Will UNA bring live lions back to campus?

Following the death of Leo III earlier this year , the University of North Alabama (UNA) has been considering bringing live lions back to the campus habitat.

While some say the school is not the same without its maned mascots, others are against the idea of continuing the 50-year tradition.

The university recently sent out a survey to get community input on the decision.

In the survey, UNA's Special Committee on Live Lions included the following details for consideration:

In 2000, the Board of Trustees explicitly referenced UNA's commitment to align lion protocols with Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards. Animal habitats and enclosures that are AZA certified meet the highest standard of animal care and welfare.

The cost for bringing live lions back to campus would be $5-7 million which includes the habitat expansion to meet AZA guidelines, purchase of the lions, and a sustainable source of revenue to fund a skilled, full-time caretaker, provide for the veterinary care and food, etc.

UNA will not fund live lions on campus based on student tuition.

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Although survey responses are completely anonymous, according to the website, many UNA students and alums took to the college's Facebook page to share their thoughts.

While some were fully supportive of replacing Leo III and Una, who died in 2020, others suggested updates if the lions were brought back.

"I was a distance student, but my mom is from Florence," one commentor wrote. "We came to campus for my graduation and it was so amazing to see Leo and hear his roar broadcast across campus."

"I think there are ethical issues with keeping lions and other wildlife, but I also understand the importance of education and advocacy for these creatures and that there are lots of animals unable to be released into the wild."

"If the animals are such that they have been rescued, or otherwise cannot return to the wild, then I believe it's a wonderful opportunity to care for the magnificent creatures on campus."

Another commentor said he would like to see the lions utilized for educational purposes.

"I would like to see the lion program brought into the science department, maybe zoology classes or world wildlife study," he wrote.

"I believe that tying it to academics would bring more credibility to having them on campus. We should have them on campus but only if it's for the betterment of science and the future of the species."

But others say the tradition should be left in the past.

"As much as I loved having Una and Leo as part as my college experience and many years after, I cannot justify the idea of spending $5-$7 million to comply with current standards to add another lion(s)," one person wrote.

"The commentary has a common thread on *who* the lions were for; they were for the public's pleasure and entertainment. If the desire is for public benefit, I believe the university could find a more beneficial use of potential funding than the lion habitat."

And several commentors raised concerns about the animals' quality of life.

"No lion should be in a cage just so people can look at them," one woman wrote.

"I loved our lions but always felt sad for them. They should be in the wild being free. We can have mascots we don't have to have lions."

"Can we consider asking ourselves what living in Florence, AL actually means for lions?" another commentor asked. "If you think being able to look at a lions is worth their increased risk of death and disease due to living in a climate they did not evolve in and are therefore not adapted to, then by all means vote yes. But I personally think that's a pretty selfish and calloused reason to vote yes."

"I, too, have memories of sitting with the lions when I attended UNA. As magnificent as they were, I would trade those memories for their well-being in a heartbeat. There's no good reason to have them. It's not good for conservation efforts, and it's not good for UNA to drain their education resources."

Whatever decision the university makes will be done after careful consideration that takes all of these factors into account, according to representatives.

"The committee has taken the complicated and costly nature of this project into account, while also remaining mindful of the rich and meaningful history of this iconic species at UNA," the survey reads. "This is a sensitive subject we approach with humble, pure intentions and with the interest of the community at heart."

On Nov. 18, which would have been the lions' birthday, the school will hold a memorial service for Leo III, Una, and their handlers, according to their website.