FLORENCE, Ala. — Something is missing from the lions' habitat on the University of North Alabama campus: actual lions.
The habitat has been vacant ever since Leo III passed away earlier this year, but it may be getting a new resident.
"Once he died, like, you can feel the mood kind of darken a little bit. Everybody was sad," UNA student Khenyia Williams says.
Relics of Leo III's funeral are still on display at the habitat. The UNA community remembers the face of the school.
"It's also a little strange, I think. Still not to hear Leo three roar," Williams says.
Leo III had a big impact on students, and prospective students, on campus.
"I saw him actually on my first tour here," Williams says. "And of course, through campus, I saw his little habitat over there."
The habitat was home to another lion, Una, who died in 2020. Both lions were taken care of by Dr. Dan Howard and Ann Howard. The couple passed away in the last four years. All four of them, human and lion, come to campus in 2002.
"They were of a very special part of the university community for a long time," says UNA Media and Public Relations Director Michelle Eubanks.
Shortly after LEO III's passing, UNA President Ken Kitts put together a team dedicated to deciding if bringing the live lions back to campus would be a good move.
"Does the tradition shift or does it not? What's the monetary investment? What's the human investment? How do we, you know, how do we do this? Do we do this?" Eubanks says.
Officials say a new set of lions would cost between five and seven million dollars. That wouldn't come from student tuition, meaning the funds would have to be found through other sources. But what would it take besides money?
"A commitment to care for whatever live lion we bring to campus," Eubanks says. "If that is the route that's taken."
Williams says she would love to see the more than 50-year tradition continue and hear roaring lions on campus again.
"It will liven up the mood that we actually have our mascot back which would be great," Williams says.
A survey from the special committee was sent out to the community for feedback, but officials say that survey is now closed. The results have not been announced yet, though.
University officials say there will be a memorial service for Leo III, Una and their handlers November 18, which would have been the lions' birthday.