FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — The University of North Alabama is sharing the findings of a committee set up to look at the future of keeping live lions on campus.
The Special Committee on Live Lions was formed on Aug. 1, 2024, after the passing of Leo III, the third lion to be housed on the university’s campus. It shared its findings with UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts on Tuesday.
The university said the committee was aimed at looking at the viability of returning lions to UNA’s campus. That process includes speaking to more than 12,000 stakeholders and animal experts and visiting other lion habitats. UNA said that the committee determined that the tradition of keeping lions on campus is important and should continue, but should be done under the proper conditions.
“The recommendation comes with an important caveat, however, which is that live lions be reintroduced only in continued alignment with the national standards established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,” the university said.
UNA said that to do that, its current facility, the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat, would need to double in size to meet modern standards. Those updates, along with hiring a trained professional to oversee the care team, would cost the university $5 million to $7 million, according to the university.
Kitts praised the committee for its work looking at the issue.
“The members of the Special Committee on Live Lions did excellent work on behalf of the University, and I am grateful for the insights they provided,” Kitts said. “These individuals thoroughly studied the process of returning live lions to campus, and the group’s findings have been shared with the appropriate committee of our Board of Trustees. With that, Vice President Kevin Haslam and his team in Advancement will work over the next two years to determine if donor interest in this project is significant enough to help bring the committee’s vision to life.”
The university said this fall, the fencing around the habitat will be removed so the area can be temporarily used as green space as the university looks at options.
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