The Roar of the Crowd

Since 1936, LSU football fans and visitors alike have prowled Tiger Stadium on game day hoping to catch a glimpse of Mike the Tiger, the university’s magnificent live mascot.

Knowing how much the faithful appreciate the presence of their intimidating icon during the pre-game festivities, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine student handlers spent the summer working with the big Bengal/Siberian mix to get him ready for home football games.

“We know how important it is to the fans that he be in the stadium, but we can’t force him to do so, and we absolutely would never do that even if we could,” says LSU’s attending veterinarian David Baker. “Mike’s safety and well-being are most important to us, and we know that these are important to the fans as well.”

Fortunately, the 500-pound cat is neither sedated nor forced to enter the trailer, so Mike’s attendance is voluntary. And, on occasion, he has proven to be one finicky feline.

During his first season with the team in 2007, Mike missed the season opener due to dangerously high temperatures. Subsequently, he made his gridiron debut and attended the remainder of games. Despite having on one of the best seats in the stadium, he appeared at the only first two home games in 2008. The following year, Mike was unable to take the field for the first game because it was too soggy; but, he returned for the rest of the season. He missed only two home games in 2010, then he set the perfect record by attending every home game in 2011.

So, “If Mike VI does not attend the pre-game festivities, it is important for fans to know that this does not mean that something is wrong,” explains Baker. “Mike VI is a healthy, normal tiger.”

Since arriving at LSU in August 2007 as a two-year-old, Mike VI has matured and become more cautious and less inquisitive. All of which, Baker says, are signs of typical tiger development.

And, perhaps, with age has come wisdom. Why would Capital City’s most celebrated cat leave his $3-million, 15,000-square foot habitat complete with lush landscaping, live oaks, a stream and waterfall for a glorified kitty carrier?

Besides Mike’s mood, other factors also come into play. For example, “Mike loaded in his trailer for the [this year’s] North Texas game,” says Ginger Guttner, the vet school’s public relations director, “but he didn’t go into the Stadium because the field was too wet. He was driven down street in front of the Stadium and then back to his habitat. Athletics makes the decision regarding the field.”

However, the big cat came roaring back on the field for the pre-game event against the Washington Huskies, whose preparation for the match-up included placing a 16-month-old Bengal from an Oregon wildlife preserve on the sidelines.

Still, there’s no predicting whether Mike will attend this weekend’s game against Idaho; yet, even those without a ticket have an opportunity to view Baton Rouge’s favorite Bengal mix at www.mikethetiger.com and click on the Tiger Cam.

While these pets have earned their stripes at Northside Humane Society, they are still looking for forever homes. They don’t need a huge habitat with a waterfall and landscaping, just a family with plenty of time and attention to give. Click here for this week’s Creature Feature.