The University’s live mascot, Mike VI, was humanely euthanized last Tuesday after months of battling a rare form of cancer.
Editors Note: This article is part of a Head-to-Head. Read the opposing opinion here.
With his death comes the obvious question: Are we going to have a Mike VII?
Some are against the idea. I mean, we keep a notoriously wild animal in an enclosure on a college campus. At face value, I can respect that it seems extremely inhumane. Organizations like PETA have spoken out, urging school officials to let Mike VI be the last live tiger on campus.
But the University needs a live mascot.
Mike the Tiger is not just a live animal — he is an icon and an institution. This animal is what makes the University unique. He draws children and adults alike with wide-eyed excitement to his habitat across from Tiger Stadium every day.
A school mascot gives an identity to students and the community. The mascot is important in keeping spirits high. Yes, we could get rid of the live tiger and only have the Mike student mascots on gameday, but we would lose the constant reminder of what it means to be a Tiger and what it means to attend the University.
The University is known for its over-the-top fanbase, loud stadium and live tiger mascot. Without the tiger, campus would not be the same.
In fact, the tigers we have housed have lived as long as 17 years. The average age for a tiger to survive in the wild is about 10 to 15 years. Not to mention, the Mike the Tiger lives in a 15,000 square foot enclosure he has all to himself.
Mike is never forced to parade around the stadium in his cage. His caretakers attempt to coax him into the cage, but if he does not want to go, he doesn’t.
The only thing he is forced into is being a spoiled tiger on a campus full of adoring fans in a community of people who have come together behind the image and idea of Mike the Tiger.
I felt as if I knew Mike on a personal level. From the moment I stepped on campus and saw him playing in his habitat, I knew he was more than just a tiger.
LSU veterinarian Dr. David Baker said the University is looking for the donation of a young male tiger cub from a sanctuary or rescue. This is a good thing, considering tigers are endangered. Why not provide a tiger with a great life?
Perhaps those who say we shouldn’t get another live tiger haven’t taken everything into consideration. The situation seems vile, but after considering all the factors that go into finding a tiger—his quality of life while on campus, and the importance of a mascot we can all rally behind—I don’t see how anyone can be against it.
Bottom line: We need Mike VII.
Myia Hambrick is a 21-year-old Mass Communications major from Temple, Georgia.
