2022 LSU Gumbo - Book - Page 93
LSU is widely known for being the only college in
America to house a live tiger on its grounds. Therefore,
it is only right to celebrate Mike the Tiger’s 85th
Anniversary of being on campus. Mike the Tiger
VII, the current version of LSU’s mascot, is not the
only tiger who has made an impact on LSU’s fanbase
throughout the years. There were seven tigers that
preceded Mike the Tiger VII in having that name, and
the first one came to campus on Oct. 21, 1936.
Mike’s habitat is located on North Stadium Drive in
Baton Rouge and sits between the Bernie Moore Track
Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU
students and fans take pride in visiting him before a
game day or even during a midweek stroll. Mike makes
his presence known on his social media daily, allowing
for everyone to get a look at him, regardless of location.
It is tradition for him to have a game day meal, which
consists of meat shaped like the opposing team’s
mascot, especially during football season.
As for the first live tiger on campus, he went
through a few name changes before he became widely
known as “Mike the Tiger.” Athletic Department
trainer Chellis “Mike” Chambers, Athletic Director
T.P. Heard, Intramural Swimming Coach William
G. “Hickey” Higginbotham and LSU law student Ed
Laborde made the executive decision to bring a real life
tiger on campus. After collecting 25 cents from each
student, they were able to purchase a two-hundred
pound, one-year-old tiger from the Little Rock Zoo
in Arkansas. The tradition of visiting this tiger in its
habitat right next to Tiger Stadium has continued for
decades.
Mike is a symbol of pride on LSU’s campus. This is
why it is necessary for him to have great care. He has
had over 60 students and three veterinarians care for
him over the course of 85 years. Originally, his care
was provided by the LSU Athletic Department. But,
in 1976, LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine became
responsible for looking after the famous big cat. Mike
is not like other animals treated by the school. He has
his own personal veterinarian from the LSU School
of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. David Baker, who is
responsible for looking out his well-being on a daily
basis. He is also monitored by veterinary students and
numerous specialists.
While the average lifespan of a tiger in the wild is
eight to 10 years, a tiger in captivity can live 14 to 18
years. The longest living Mike was Mike the Tiger IV,
who lived 20 years, nine months and 18 days.
Photos by Matthew Perschall
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