LSU Live Mascot The Louisiana State University (LSU) live mascot, commonly known as Mike the Tiger, is a beloved symbol of school spirit and tradition. The university has had a live tiger on campus since 1936, making it one of the longest-standing live mascots in the United States. The current Mike, officially known as Mike VII, made his debut in 2017. He is a majestic Bengal-Siberian mix who was born in 2016. Mike VII lives in a specially built habitat known as "Tiger Stadium" and receives top-notch care from LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine. Mike the Tiger plays a crucial role in LSU's sporting events and represents the spirit and strength of the LSU community.
This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of 225 magazine.
The vaccine deployment to dozens of zoos follows Zoetis response in January to a request from the San Diego Zoo following confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. As the lights in his night house come on in the early morning, LSU s live tiger mascot Mike VII slowly wakes to the sound of his LSU School of Veterinary Medicine caretakers.
Mike the Tiger plays a crucial role in LSU's sporting events and represents the spirit and strength of the LSU community. The tradition of having a live tiger as a mascot began with a donation by a Louisiana businessman who recognized the importance of school spirit and wanted to provide the university with a unique symbol to rally behind. Being the live mascot of a prominent college, Mike VII enjoys celebrity status among LSU fans.
How the LSU Vet School keeps watch over the university’s iconic live mascot
As the lights in his night house come on in the early morning, LSU’s live tiger mascot Mike VII slowly wakes to the sound of his LSU School of Veterinary Medicine caretakers.
But before the mascot is greeted by the veterinary team, they thoroughly check and clean his habitat to ensure safety for him and visitors—and make sure his favorite toys and scents are out for him to enjoy.
During the day, Mike does his own thing, roaming the 15,000-square-foot habitat, sleeping, swimming, playing with his ball and interacting with visitors through the glass barrier. But the Vet School team is always watching. The Bengal tiger is visited by his veterinarian weekly and monitored daily through cameras set up in the habitat.
Once the evening arrives, his caretakers prepare 10 to 15 pounds of meat for dinner, pulverized into a mixture similar to ground beef. Once a week, Mike receives a frozen oxtail as a yummy treat to clean his teeth.
Since the Vet School students only observe him through a fence, they have different tricks to examine him from afar, such as holding up a meatball to coax him to stand on his hind legs so they can check his stomach and underside.
LSU has had a live mascot since 1936. In 2005, the university funded a $3.7 million habitat that provided plenty more space to roam and better vantage points for visitors to look in on the wild cat. Since Mike IV, each tiger has been donated to LSU. Mike VII was given to LSU from a sanctuary in Okeechobee, Florida, called the Wild at Heart Wildlife Center.
As the seventh Mike, the university has his care system down to a science. Mike’s caretakers are in the second phase of Vet School. The first phase is focused on lectures and labs, and the second provides more hands-on work with the hospital and Mike.
And while Ginger Guttner is not one of Mike’s caretakers, she is the woman behind the Mike we all know. Her many hats include being a professor and the communications manager of the LSU Vet School, its website and social media. She is also the spokesperson for Mike. Guttner has been doing this long enough to be able to identify which Mikes are on LSU posters and signs. “I can tell by the stripes, because the stripes are like fingerprints,” she says.
And it was the 2014 vet students and Guttner who came up with the famous idea of Mike’s meat art posted to social media.
“It started as an inside joke,” Guttner says.
Check out those teeth! Mike’s caretakers have various ways to monitor and inspect him to make sure he stays healthy.
When a Vet School student went to feed Mike the evening before the Alabama game, she shaped his meat dinner into the Alabama “A.” From there, the meat art tradition was born, and has even been covered by ESPN.
It’s all part of the Vet School’s goal of providing a safe home for Mike.
“I would love if all tigers could live in the wild. That would be amazing,” Guttner says. “But the wildlife sanctuary where we got him had to get rid of some of their animals and had to find new homes for them, or they were going to be shut down. They just had too many, and they couldn’t provide good enough care for the ones that they had, and so LSU is dedicated to providing a good home for a tiger.”
Head to mikethetiger.com for more on LSU’s mascot and to view his live habitat webcam.
This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of 225 magazine.
The vaccine has been authorized for experimental use by the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, and the state veterinarian. The vaccine deployment to dozens of zoos follows Zoetis’ response in January to a request from the San Diego Zoo following confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. There have also been confirmed cases of COVID-19 in captive tigers. Learn more about this program by Zoetis.
His image is frequently used in merchandise, logos, and promotional materials for the university. Moreover, Mike VII participates in various events and tours, spreading LSU pride and engaging with fans. However, it is important to note that LSU takes great care to ensure Mike VII's health and well-being. The university endeavors to provide him with a comfortable and enriching environment, monitoring his diet, health, and overall welfare on a daily basis. The school maintains strict regulations and protocols to ensure the proper treatment and care of the live tiger. In recent years, there has been ongoing discussion about the ethics of having live animal mascots in college sports. Critics argue that keeping large predators in captivity is inhumane and unnecessary for school spirit. LSU has actively addressed these concerns by constructing a larger, more natural habitat for Mike VII, providing him with plenty of space and enrichment opportunities. Overall, the LSU live mascot, Mike the Tiger, holds a special place in the hearts of LSU fans and represents the school's rich traditions and strong community spirit. While the topic of live mascots may continue to be debated, LSU takes the responsibility of caring for Mike VII seriously and strives to provide him with a fulfilling and safe life on campus..
Reviews for "The Important Role of LSU's Live Mascot in Raising Awareness for Conservation Efforts"
1. John Smith - 1 star
I attended an LSU football game and was completely disappointed by the live mascot. The tiger was confined to a small cage, which was incredibly cruel and inhumane. It was clear that the animal was stressed and unhappy. The whole concept of using a live animal as a source of entertainment is outdated and unethical. I hope LSU reconsiders their decision and switches to a more compassionate and responsible alternative for their mascot.
2. Emily Johnson - 2 stars
As an animal lover, I couldn't help but feel uneasy about the live mascot at LSU. While I understand the significance and tradition behind having a tiger as a mascot, it seems unfair to the animal to be kept in such confinement. Tigers are majestic creatures that deserve to roam freely in their natural habitats, not be put on display for human amusement. I believe it's time for LSU to find a new way to represent their school spirit without exploiting animals.
3. Mark Thompson - 1 star
I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the live mascot at LSU during a game, and I was appalled at the conditions in which the tiger was kept. The cage was far too small for such a magnificent creature, and the constant noise and commotion from the game only added to its stress. It's a shame that a respected institution like LSU continues to endorse the mistreatment of animals for the sake of entertainment. I strongly urge them to reconsider their mascot choice and opt for a more humane alternative.
4. Sarah Davis - 2 stars
While I understand the tradition behind having a live mascot at LSU, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the tiger during a recent game. It was evident that the animal was not comfortable in its confined space and showed signs of distress. As a university that prides itself on education and ethics, LSU should set an example by adopting a mascot that promotes conservation and respect for animals, rather than exploiting them for entertainment purposes. It's time for a change that aligns with more progressive values.
5. Michael Roberts - 1 star
The use of a live mascot at LSU is simply cruel. Watching the tiger in a tiny cage, pacing back and forth, broke my heart. It's unbelievable that a prestigious institution like LSU continues to support this outdated practice. There are plenty of other ways to show school spirit that do not involve the exploitation and mistreatment of animals. I urge LSU to rethink their mascot choice and find an alternative that respects the wellbeing and dignity of living creatures.