Friends of the Lions
As hard as it is to believe, UNA has just celebrated the third birthday of Leo III and Una. We still continue the legacy of celebrating the birthday of our reigning King and Queen of Lion Country on April 14 (the official birthday of Leo I) by inviting the University faculty, staff, and students, along with the community, and especially Kilby Laboratory School, to celebrate with us. However, that doesn't stop us from recognizing this magnificent brother-sister pair on their real birthday in November by giving them new toys and special new bones.
Leo weighs in at a regal 530 pounds, while his sister weighs in at a slim 350-plus pounds. They still enjoy watching the hundreds of visitors who come by weekly, playing with their plastic balls and 55-gallon drums, and indulging in the occasional family feud. Leo III surprised all of us Thanksgiving weekend 2004 when he decided to take a dip in the pool in 30-degree weather. He swam from end to end with a huge truck tire in his mouth while Una supervised from the sidelines. Una has now joined her brother in water games and they can often be seen playing the lion kingdom's version of water polo.
Each lion eats about eight pounds of food a day, and each receives fresh bones twice a week. Because all monies for the support of the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat and lion upkeep must be privately raised, we are always looking for new ideas for fund-raising. We held our first Lion Pride Golf Tournament in May of 2005 and raised over $2,500 to support the lions and the Habitat. In 2006, we held our first Silent Auction, Penny Drive, Dollar Drive, and mailed a special Birthday Letter request to raise money. The combined efforts of all the 2006 fundraisers netted over $10,000.00!
Leo III's mane is growing thicker and more beautiful by the day. One of the interesting facts we have recently learned is that researchers say the darker the mane on a male lion, the more female lions he attracts. No wonder Leo III has so many female admirers!
Visiting groups still enjoy the five pieces of lion literature we make accessible to the public to enhance the educational aspect of raising live lions on campus.
We now offer you the option of donating to the Foundation (of which the Friends of the Lions Fund is a part) via our web site over the Internet. We provide a secure web server when you click on our Donate Online link. You may give with American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA.
DONATE ONLINE!
Thank you for becoming a Friend of the Lions.
You may also mail donations to:
UNA Box 5075
Florence, AL 35632-0001
