Mike VI, the University’s live tiger mascot, came to campus as a 2-year-old cub in 2007, and now, three years after his arrival, the Bengal-Siberian mix had an exciting semester of football game appearances, habitat improvements and charity fundraisers.
 
This football season, Mike VI attended all but two home games during his pregame ritual, which includes a trip around Tiger Stadium’s field in his carrying cage and being parked by the opposing team’s locker room for intimidation purposes. Mike was absent for both the Tennessee and Louisiana-Monroe games, according to Ginger Guttner, School of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman.
 
Two veterinary student caretakers worked with Mike VI on his loading technique this past summer to help ensure his pregame participation. But as a young, male tiger, he may decide to not cooperate, and the caretakers can’t force him in, Guttner said. Fans should not be worried if Mike VI decides to not attend a game.
 
In 2009, Mike VI made it into the stadium for all but one game, when the field was too wet for his trailer.
 
But in 2008, Mike VI went to only two of the eight home games, attending the first two but refusing to enter his trailer for the remainder of the season, Guttner said.
 
Just after Labor Day, caretakers installed a new toy for Mike VI to enjoy in his habitat. The “artificial prey” dangles from the habitat’s canopy and is a square-shaped parcel attached to a rope, allowing Mike VI to pounce and prey as he might in the wild.
 
In late August, Mike VI spent several days in his night house while work crews completed routine maintenance usually done every three to four years, according to Ronnie Haliburton, senior associate athletic director for facilities and grounds.
 
The maintenance work included repairing stucco cracks, replacing damaged molding, recoating stucco in the viewing area and inside the habitat, replacing all sealants and applying epoxy to waterproof the cracks below the water line at the glass viewing area.
 
For fans wanting a closer peek at the tiger, the School of Veterinary Medicine is raising money through an auction in which 75 winning bidders get to “Spend An Evening With Mike VI.” The online bidding closes Dec. 18, and minimum bids of $2,000 benefit the Vet School’s Philanthropic Partners Fund, which serves as a dean’s excellence fund.
 
Mike VI celebrated his fifth birthday on July 23, and his growth at the University shows. He now weighs more than 460 pounds compared to 320 pounds when he arrived in Baton Rouge. But by his sixth birthday, he could weigh as much as 600 pounds.
 
 
 
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Contact Nicholas Persac at [email protected]