Recognised around the globe as the ‘Lion brand’, Peugeot yesterday celebrated the milestone release of the 10-week-old female and male cubs, Purr and Joe, with the public announcement of a three-year sponsorship of Mogo Zoo’s white lions.

The first white lions ever born in Australia are now on public display at Mogo Zoo on New South Wales’ South Coast, having been successfully introduced into the existing pride of lions.

The lions, which are white due to a recessive gene, hold a magical place in African folklore and are rarer than the legendary snow leopards of the Himalayas.

“With a lion as Peugeot’s corporate logo, we felt a clear and immediate connection to little Purr and Joe, so the opportunity to work with Mogo Zoo and contribute towards the survival of these beautiful yet endangered lions makes perfect sense,” Managing Director, Peugeot Automobiles Australia, Rob Dommerson said.

“With our commitment to the breeding programme, we are really bringing our ‘logo to life’ in the form of Purr and Joe. Many Australians may be surprised to know that Peugeot have used a lion for their logo since the 1850’s and the Peugeot lion has adorned our cars since 1907. This sponsorship allows us to not only educate the public in regards to the plight of these magnificent animals, but also to make the public aware that there is only one global lion brand in the world; Peugeot.”

It’s been a remarkably successful two years for Mogo Zoo which only took possession of two female and a male cub in 2004 to contribute to a global breeding programme to try to keep the white lions of Africa alive.

“Purr and Joe’s mum, Nkungwe, came to Mogo Zoo as an older cub herself almost three years ago from the African home of the white lions, Timbavati, as part of our pledge to do what is necessary to ensure the survival of this threatened species,” Mogo Zoo’s Owner Sally Padey said yesterday.

“Mogo Zoo is already home to more than 100 animals of more than 38 rare and exotic species and we’ve put a lot of effort over the years into many breeding programmes but I don’t think I’ve ever been excited as I am today.”

“Purr and Joe’s arrival is an Australia first and a significant cause for celebration given white lions have been not been seen in the wild for over 12 years and the global population was down to just 10 white lions in 1995. Peugeot’s support is invaluable as it allows us to continue to develop our white lion breeding programme and work with other zoos around the world as part of a global effort to return the white lions to the wild.”

About Mogo Zoo

Over 14 years ago Bill and Sally Padey, together with their small collection of buffalo, pheasants, peacocks, deer and kangaroo, began to welcome visitors to the then named 'Somerset Wildlife Sanctuary'. Their dream was to develop the Sanctuary into an animal park which made a difference to the conservation of threatened species and would maintain high standards of animal welfare.

A further testament to the zoo’s good work was seen when two snow leopard cubs were born at Mogo Zoo in 1999. Snow leopards are notoriously difficult to breed and these were the first to be born in the Australasian region for over a decade. In 2003 another two were born.

Mogo Zoo has caught the eye of local and regional media and are now recognised as a major tourist attraction on the south coast of New South Wales. Mogo Zoo is the proud winner of the 2002, 2003 and 2005 Regional Attraction Award in the South Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism.