Lacumba translates to “The Heart of Africa”, a name which is also near and dear to the heart of Southern University. The first Lacumba, a gold cat with black spots, was gifted to the university by 1961 class president Henry Bellaire. She was purchased for $450 from the Baton Rouge Zoo on July 12, 1971, later becoming the first and only live mascot on an HBCU campus in the nation. Her majesty retired to the Acadiana Zoo, on August 16, 1991 after a 20-year reign as big cat on the yard.
She was soon succeeded by Lacumba II who was born earlier that year. Unlike her prior, she was the descendent of two black jaguars in the hopes of producing a black Lacumba, however the result was a brown cat. The 200lb, 15 year old cat passed away on December 26, 2004 due to kidney failure as a result of old age.
Over two decades later, this past Friday, April 4 constituents of the SU community eagerly gathered at Baton Rouge Zoo to welcome our newest member, Lacumba III.
“People walk by the jags and underestimate them, because they are silent and they hide very well. But, they are the single big cat in the North American continent. They are near-threatened, not endangered like the tiger. To me, that is an animal that has evolved to efficiency– a top of the line predator.” -Paige Marshall, Primate & Carnivore Curator
After the cub’s birth in October 2024, the BREC zoo initially announced Seti, Taiyari and Soona as name options up to the public vote. However, a write-in entry—Lacumba—captured the community’s favor and advanced to a runoff against Seti, the two top votes. In the final round, Lacumba emerged victorious, solidifying its title with over 1000 more votes than the runner-up.
“Our purpose is to unify this parish, to unite people with wildlife. We are connecting people not only to nature, but to Southern University and to one another.” Corey Wilson, BREC Superintendent Supporters cast their ballots online with a $1 donation per vote, raising funds for the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation. Proceeds will help support conservation of the species in addition to educational programs and animal welfare at the zoo.
The jaguars at BREC Zoo are managed through the Species Survival Program, which is composed of experts, geneticists, zoo managers, and curators who are dedicated to providing breeding recommendations in order to ensure the most genetically diverse populations.
Caronda Bean, a 2002 graduate from the College of Business, shared “When I started at Southern, we always heard of Lacumba but we never knew Lacumba. I think that, as stated earlier, this is an opportunity for the generations to come to have that experience. I think they shared a good definition of what a jaguar is, and that that plays into the mission and the vision of the University and why we exist. Now, everyone will have the opportunity to visit Lacumba and be reminded of why the jaguar was chosen to represent Southern University.”
