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Release Mike the tiger from solitary confinement!

  • by: Anne Terhune
  • recipient: Louisiana State University President F. King Alexander (alexander@lsu.org) and Joe Alleva, LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics (athletics@lsu.org)

Mike VI is the latest live tiger mascot for the Fighting Tigers of Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. He is a 10-year-old, 450-pound male Bengal/Siberian mix who lives alone in a 15,000-square-foot enclosure near Tiger Stadium. Although it is described as state of the art, the space is nowhere near enough for a tiger, the biggest feline on the planet.

The focus of Mike's existence at LSU is to ride around the stadium in his little wheeled cage with cheerleaders on top before home games, and to be parked outside the opponents' locker room so he can intimidate them as they walk by. The first LSU home game scheduled for Sept. 5 was postponed, but Mike will be "invited" to enter his little trailer before upcoming home games.

The university goes to great pains to state that Mike is never "forced" into his wheeled cage, and in fact he refused to enter his trailer during the entire 2014 football season. Doesn't that tell you Mike does not enjoy being put on display in a tiny cage?

Please tell LSU President F. King Alexander and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva that Mike deserves a better life in a sanctuary, where he could interact with other tigers and not have to perform for his dinner.

read petition letter ▾

Dear LSU President F. Alexander King and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva,


We are disturbed by the lonely and unnatural life of Mike VI, the Bengal/Siberian tiger mascot of your school. Please release Mike from his life of solitary confinement, alternating with being confined in a small wheeled cage and put on display for athletic events. Mike would have a much happier life in a sanctuary, possibly with other tigers, where he would not have to perform for his dinner. Why not just get some footage of Mike roaring and play that on the big screens in Tiger Stadium, and let him live his life privately and with dignity?

Update #57 years ago
Sad news: LSU just discovered Mike has inoperable cancer, a spindle cell sarcoma on his face. His vets have devised a radiation therapy that may keep him alive 1-2 more years. But now is the time he should go to a sanctuary for his final days! Please ask friends to sign, and advise LSU to not replace Mike with another live tiger.
Update #48 years ago
Let's make a big, final push to get Mike into a sanctuary! LSU has announced Mike will not attend any more home football games this season. He isn't sick-he just hasn't wanted to enter his tiny travel trailer to ride around the stadium. Because that's unnatural and not fun for him! Please spread the word about this petition so Mike can move to a sanctuary where he can lead a peaceful life and maybe even have some tiger friends instead of his lonely life.
Update #38 years ago
Mike did not attend this past Saturday's game (Oct. 3) against Eastern Michigan. Please let's all work to get more signatures so I can send this petition to those in charge at LSU before football season is over!
Update #28 years ago
Mike VI attended the Sept. 19 LSU home game against Auburn. There is YouTube footage of him riding around the stadium in his small cage with cheerleaders on top. His vet, Dr. David Baker, says Mike likes his trailer on non-game days. Do they toss a few steaks in it to get him inside for the game? Baker also says Mike's not a pet and not a domesticated animal. So why is he being treated like one, being brought out for a display? Mike needs to be in a sanctuary.
Update #18 years ago
Although the Sept. 5 game vs. McNeese was cancelled due to lightning, the pre-game festivities did include Mike the tiger being driven around the field in his wheeled cage, so evidently he consented to get into the trailer. His next public appearance is scheduled for the Sept. 19 LSU home game vs. the Auburn Tigers. Does Auburn have a live tiger mascot? I THINK NOT.
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