One of the most famous manuls: His Majesty Lev, also known as Mister Universe, Lion King, Purrfect, Fluffy Angel, and Sweet Limp! Lev was born at the Novosibirsk Zoo on May 15, 2014 to a remarkable family: his father, Khan, a fluffy duke from Saint Petersburg, and his mother, Markiza (Marquise), a beautiful manul-girl from Poland.
A fascinating fact: Lev was raised by a foster mother—a regular domestic cat! Domestic cats often lend a helping paw at the Novosibirsk Zoo, acting as excellent caretakers and mothers. They take responsibility for various young animals when, for different reasons, the biological mothers cannot nurse all or some of their babies.
And despite seriously injuring his paw as a youngster, it didn’t hold Lev back in the slightest. On the contrary, it gave him a unique charm and recognizable trait that has forever captured the hearts of Pallas's cat lovers worldwide, making him their fluffy idol!
At the age of two our handsome but nameless hero moved to Japan.
In his new home, he got his “Russian” name. Read more about the names of Lev.
In Japan young Lev met the beautiful, wide-eyed charmer, Shar, and in April of the following year, they welcomed their delightful kittens into the world: the Flower Five!
Lev traveled a lot across Japan. Read more about the travels of Lev.
In the Animal Kingdom of Nasu, Lev lived together with Bor and Polly. This zoo has just one exhibit enclosure for manuls, so Lev shared it with Bor.
On January 17, 2025, Nasu Animal Kingdom Zoo reported that Lev had been diagnosed with swelling in the lower part of his face. He was undergoing treatment and would not be appearing in the exhibit enclosure.
On March 3, 2025, the zoo announced that Lev would no longer be available to the public and would remain behind the scenes due to an ongoing illness and declining kidney function, which require regular treatment.
On March 24, 2025, the zoo reported that Lev had passed away. He was 10 years old.
Siblings of Lev the Pallas's cat
Twin siblings born on May 15, 2014 in Novosibirsk Zoo to the family of Khan and Markiza
Older siblings born on May 19, 2012 in Novosibirsk Zoo to the family of Khan and Markiza
Photos of Lev the Pallas's cat
Videos of Lev the Pallas's cat
Children of Lev the Pallas's cat
On April 20, 2017 in Saitama Children's Zoo five pallas's cat kittens were born to the family of Lev and Shar
Lev's travel adventures
In June of 2016 Lev moved from Novosibirsk Zoo to Saitama Children's Zoo.
On February 5, 2018 Lev moved from Saitama Children's Zoo to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
On January 19, 2021 Lev moved from Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens to Kobe Animal Kingdom.
In July of 2022 Lev moved from Kobe Animal Kingdom to Nasu Animal Kingdom.
Naming history of Lev the Pallas's cat
In Saitama Children's Zoo he was given his name Lev (レフ). Japanese people took the task of choosing his name very seriously. Everybody who wanted to participate gathered together in Saitama Zoo to propose their variants and choose a name by voting. The only restriction was that a names should be Russian as a respect to Lev's origin. Plushenko(a famous Russian figure skater), Borsh(soup), Vodka, Shilo(a surname of a director of Novosibirsk zoo) and Lev was among options. Well... It's so great that name Lev was chosen, we'd say! 😁
