The University is committed to finding the seventh Mike the Tiger, and the search is underway. During this time, the School of Veterinary Medicine staff is working to ensure that when a new tiger is found, his home is more grand than any other tiger’s in the world.
Built in 2005, the current habitat cost $3 million to construct, and gave Mike V more room to live. The old habitat was only 2,000 square feet, but the current one is over 15,000 square feet. The update also achieved the goal of giving future Mike more space for recreational activities such as swimming and playing with their ball.
The new habitat was also constructed with visual parallels to the University’s campus. Mike has his own campanile, a visual cue to the University’s famous Me- morial Tower. The stainless steel mesh that makes up the surrounding structure is meant to resemble the buildings and architecture of the Quad. Mike even has his own LSU Lakes.
Mike’s habitat would have undergone maintenance even when he lived there, but the University will take advantage of an open habitat to work with. In a January release, the University stated that preserving a healthy lifestyle in the habitat is the greatest priority. The Tiger Athletic Foundation will be funding the remodeling.
“Becoming an accredited sanctuary means that LSU has met high standards of excellence in animal care and is operating ethically and responsibly,” the release states. “LSU believes that these changes are in the best interest of the longevity and ethical management of the LSU tiger mascot program.”
The most accredited source on the basic standards for a live animal habitat is the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a non-profit group founded in 2007. Because the previous habitat was built before the GFAS existed, it was not a organization-accredited sanctuary.
Amajorchange announcedfor Mike VII is that he will no longer be asked to visit sporting events in his cage. The GFAS accreditation standards are part of the reason Mike will no longer visit Tiger Stadium on gamedays. The GFAS requires that “felids are not taken from the sanctuary or enclosures/ habitats for exhibition, education or research purposes.” It also requires the enclosure to be at least 1,200 square feet.
The University stated its vision for Mike VII is for him to be on campus by August. Just like the last four Mikes, the plan is for the tiger to be donated from a rescue facility, rather than taken from the wild or bred in captivity.
Editor’s Note: The story was edited to clarify that the Tiger Athletic Foundation will be funding the remodeling process for the habitat.
Built in 2005, the current habitat cost $3 million to construct, and gave Mike V more room to live. The old habitat was only 2,000 square feet, but the current one is over 15,000 square feet. The update also achieved the goal of giving future Mike more space for recreational activities such as swimming and playing with their ball.
The new habitat was also constructed with visual parallels to the University’s campus. Mike has his own campanile, a visual cue to the University’s famous Me- morial Tower. The stainless steel mesh that makes up the surrounding structure is meant to resemble the buildings and architecture of the Quad. Mike even has his own LSU Lakes.
Mike’s habitat would have undergone maintenance even when he lived there, but the University will take advantage of an open habitat to work with. In a January release, the University stated that preserving a healthy lifestyle in the habitat is the greatest priority. The Tiger Athletic Foundation will be funding the remodeling.
“Becoming an accredited sanctuary means that LSU has met high standards of excellence in animal care and is operating ethically and responsibly,” the release states. “LSU believes that these changes are in the best interest of the longevity and ethical management of the LSU tiger mascot program.”
The most accredited source on the basic standards for a live animal habitat is the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a non-profit group founded in 2007. Because the previous habitat was built before the GFAS existed, it was not a organization-accredited sanctuary.
Amajorchange announcedfor Mike VII is that he will no longer be asked to visit sporting events in his cage. The GFAS accreditation standards are part of the reason Mike will no longer visit Tiger Stadium on gamedays. The GFAS requires that “felids are not taken from the sanctuary or enclosures/ habitats for exhibition, education or research purposes.” It also requires the enclosure to be at least 1,200 square feet.
The University stated its vision for Mike VII is for him to be on campus by August. Just like the last four Mikes, the plan is for the tiger to be donated from a rescue facility, rather than taken from the wild or bred in captivity.
Editor’s Note: The story was edited to clarify that the Tiger Athletic Foundation will be funding the remodeling process for the habitat.
