The Labor Day holiday gave University students a break from studies and a chance to have some extra fun — an opportunity on which the school’s live tiger mascot literally pounced.
Starting Monday, visitors to Mike VI’s habitat saw the tiger enjoy his newest toy, “artificial prey,” dangling from the habitat’s canopy.
“I was there when he first came out and saw it,” said Ginger Guttner, School of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman. “He kind of walked around it first, but then he pulled on it and played with it.”
Guttner said Mike VI’s caretakers installed the toy, which is a square-shaped parcel hanging from a rope.
Mike VI’s official Twitter account, @MikeTigerVI, included a message Monday morning about the artificial-prey toy.
“Got up bright and early this morning and found out I have a new toy,” the tiger tweeted. “Very cool!”
Guttner said she did not know the artificial prey’s specifics — like size and weight — nor could she comment on the toy’s origins and costs.
The artificial prey joins a small collection of toys found in the habitat for Mike VI’s amusement. Guttner said he also plays in the habitat’s river and pool and with various balls and a tire his caretakers give him. The tiger’s playful endeavors often wear out the toys, which are replaced as needed.
As for Mike VI’s favorite toy, however, “you’d have to ask him,” Guttner said.
“It’s important for his enrichment just to keep him involved in his environment,” Guttner said.
Mike VI, a Bengal-Siberian mix, celebrated his fifth birthday July 23, and was introduced to the University community on Sept. 1, 2007, as a 2-year-old tiger. He weighed only 320 pounds then, scales in at 460 pounds now and could reach 600 pounds by next year, according to a School of Veterinary Medicine news release.
Guttner said an estimated 100,000 people or more visit Mike’s habitat annually. He was kept in his night house during late August when routine maintenance done to his habitat every three to four years was completed.
Ronnie Haliburton, associate athletic director for facilities and grounds, oversees Mike’s habitat and said the average annual cost of maintaining the habitat runs from $25,000 to $35,000 with the bulk of the cost relating to water quality. The routine maintenance costs an additional $25,000 to $45,000.
Additional Links:
Mike VI’s official Twitter account: http://twitter.com/MikeTigerVI
Official site of the LSU mascot: http://www.mikethetiger.com/